The Dallas Cowboys are an option for the Adrian Peterson trade if it actually happens this offseason, but it's far more likely the team drafts a running back and names like Tevin Coleman, Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley could be targets and this comes as the team said they will not trade for Johnny Manziel if he becomes available by the Browns during the draft.
The Cowboys are coming into the offseason after winning the division and making the playoffs, but everyone in the NFC East has made moves and could be improved. The Eagles signed DeMarco Murray after the Cowboys allowed him to walk and they could be the favorites to win the division. According to Pro Football Talk, the Cowboys are a potential destination for Peterson, but right now the Vikings do not appear to be close to making a deal.
According to Pro Football Talk, ESPN's Ed Werder reports that the Cowboys will not be "inclined" to deal for Manziel even if he is available. The Browns may look at trading Johnny Manziel if they move up to get Mariota or if they go for Sam Bradford. Manziel had a tough run with the Browns and he has always been considered an option for the Cowboys. Jerry Jones wanted to draft Manziel, but he was persuaded to take the "smarter" pick last year and that worked out for the Cowboys on the offensive line.
The Cowboys freed up over $10 million in cap space by reworking Tony Romo's contract and while that puts them in better position for Peterson, the team would have to give up significant draft picks to get him. Jones has been smart over the past two years in the draft and the Cowboys likely do not want to give up what Peterson will cost, which could be first and second round picks.
Jones has helped the Cowboys build a strong offensive line through the draft and that is one reason why the team felt comfortable letting Murray go. According to Todd Archer at ESPN, the team is likely to dip into the draft for another running back over trading for Peterson, as that is a much cheaper option and the class is very deep at the position this year. Peterson has over $40 million left on his contract and it would cost at least a first round pick and likely more to get him from Minnesota.
Melvin Gordon and Todd Gurley are considered the top running backs in the draft, but the position is one of the deepest of this class. Duke Johnson, Tevin Coleman, Jay Ajayi, David Cobb, Jeremy Langford and Ameer Abdullah are all considered solid prospects and could be targets for the Cowboys. Coleman visited with the Cowboys and had an impressive pro day, while Gordon also had a meeting with the team ahead of the draft. The Cowboys signed Darren McFadden as a free agent, but the team likely will add another back in the draft to join McFadden and Joseph Randle on the roster.
