The Dallas Cowboys have Joseph Randle as the likely starter at running back coming into the season and fantasy football owners would be wise to draft him this year, while players like Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar are handcuff options and Terrance Williams is the top sleeper for Tony Romo.
The Cowboys let DeMarco Murray go in free agency and the team was comfortable with Randle at the top of the depth chart after the way he performed last season. Dallas only added one significant running back in free agency with Darren McFadden and the team did not draft anyone at the position. The Cowboys were expected to do more, but both Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett have praised their offensive line and said that whoever started would be successful.
The Dallas Morning News reported before training camp that the number one job was Randle's to lose and with McFadden injured, it's looking more likely that he will start. McFadden is dealing with a hamstring injury and he has opened up camp on the PUP list. According to NFL.com, the hamstring injury is not the same hamstring that McFadden injured earlier in the year during the spring and that he is currently "day-to-day."
The Cowboys added Lache Seastrunk and Gus Johnson this offseason and the team recently released Ryan Williams before training camp started. The team likely will use Randle as the top back with McFadden and Lance Dunbar next on the depth chart. Seastrunk or Johnson could make the roster or end up on the practice squad, while the Cowboys could consider signing a free agent like Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson or Felix Jones to a contract.
Last season the Cowboys got a career season from Murray with 1845 yards on 392 carries and now they will try and replace it with Randle and McFadden. McFadden played in 16 games for the first time in his career last season and the Cowboys will be relying on him to stay healthy. Randle comes in after rushing for a career best 343 yards last season and he ended up with 51 carries in 16 games.
Randle should get considerably more work this season and he averaged 6.7 yards per carry last year, showed some explosiveness on offense. McFadden comes in after rushing for 534 yards last season for the Raiders and adding 36 catches for 212 yards. Terrance Williams has the chance to be a major sleeper this season behind Dez Bryant, as Tony Romo has praised his work in camp and in OTA workouts. Last season Williams had 37 catches for 621 yards and eight touchdowns, which was a career high.
Check here for more on the Dallas Cowboys in training camp and the running back situation.