The Dallas Cowboys are heading into OTA workouts with Darren McFadden as the top running back and Jerry Jones could look at making a trade for someone like Matt Forte, Adrian Peterson, Lamar Miller, Terrance West, Knile Davis, Tre Mason or Doug Martin if he is willing to give up a 2016 first round pick and this comes as Chris Johnson, Ben Tate or Pierre Thomas could be free agent options for depth behind Joseph Randle.
The Cowboys are coming into workouts with McFadden and Randle as the top backs on the roster and both Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett said that the team is satisfied with the depth chart. The Cowboys were expected to take a running back in the NFL draft this year, but the team ended up bypassing that position despite some solid prospects coming out this year. UPDATE: Reports have free agent Ben Tate working out for the Cowboys.
According to Pro Football Talk, Jones said that he is confident that McFadden and Randle can take over for Demarco Murray. Murray signed with the Eagles and now the Cowboys are moving forward with McFadden as the number one back on the depth chart.
The Cowboys were okay with letting Murray walk in free agency for a number of reasons, including the fact that he was going to get big money on whatever contract he signed. The team was worried about his age and injury history after having a very productive season in 2014, as that was the first year that he was able to stay healthy for a full campaign.
According to Mike Fisher at 103.5 the Fan in Dallas, the team is interested in adding another running back, but right now no deal is close to happening. Fisher went over a number of rumors that have been floating around and he mentioned names like Matt Forte, Lamar Miller, Tre Mason, Mark Ingram, Ryan Mathews, Knile Davis, Jeremy Hill, Giovani Bernard and Zac Stacy as potential possibilities. Mason could be an option after the rams drafted Todd Gurley.
Fisher wrote that the team will "keep shopping" for running backs, but that right now there is nothing "front-burner" going on heading into OTA workouts. Johnson or Knowshon Moreno could be cheap options on the free agent market, but if the Cowboys make a move, they want to make one that sticks. The Cowboys felt comfortable letting Murray go, as they feel the offensive line is strong enough to give McFadden or whoever starts enough lanes to be successful.
The Cowboys have made some strong additions to the roster this offseason with Byron Jones and Randy Gregory in the draft as well as La'el Collins as an undrafted free agent. McFadden could end up being a solid move if he can stay healthy and there is a chance that the team could add another running back in the summer. Training camp often brings injuries and while the team is happy with McFadden, Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams, the back end of that could use some more quality.
Last season Murray led the league in rushing and played in 16 games of the first time in his career, but that was not enough for the Cowboys to keep him. The team is confident in the offensive line and they also have to deal with signing Dez Bryant, which could have been another reason why they didn't shell out big money for Murray.
