The Dallas Cowboys continue to express their confidence in Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle as their leading running backs and yet they continue to explore other options. While a trade for Adrian Peterson or Matt Forte remains an option thanks to available salary cap space, team vice president Stephen Jones also noted there is a short list of veteran options the team will bring in if needed. Apparently that veteran list is pretty extensive as the Cowboys prepare to bring in a few for a tryout with the team.
According to Josina Anderson of ESPN.com, the Cowboys are bringing in both Ben Tate and Felix Jones for workouts with the team with the option of expanding the backfield that includes McFadden, Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams already. It has been assumed that McFadden and Randle would battle for the starting spot as owner Jerry Jones remained confident that a run game by committee would be enough to make up for the absence of DeMarco Murray. However, the veterans come in hoping there is one more open spot.
Tate was last seen with the Cleveland Browns were he was expected to be the starting running back. However, he got hurt in the season opener and failed to return. Isaiah Crowell and Terrance West had breakout seasons as a result. Tate then wound up with the Minnesota Vikings before heading to Pittsburgh as Le'Veon Bell's replacement for the postseason. Jones was last seen at the veteran combine where he appeared extremely slow and was overlooked by all teams presence. Jones has ties to Dallas after the drafted him in 2008 before he left as a free agent. If Jones were to sign with Dallas again, he could be reuniting with McFadden and would re-create the dynamic Arkansas tandem from years back.
The Cowboys have also been connected with Chris Johnson and Pierre Thomas. According to the Dallas Morning News, Johnson has requested a deal with the Cowboys and while Jones confirmed interest, nothing has come from it. Thomas is considered one of the best available considering he is a more dynamic rusher.
As the Cowboys continue to look at running back options, they will continue to get linked to trade deals for Peterson and Matt Forte. It will not be avoided until Peterson and Forte show up to their respective team practices. Anything is always possible with Dallas.
