The Dallas Cowboys have started OTA workouts and so far Joseph Randle has been taking more first team snaps over Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar for Tony Romo and he could end up starting for the team and this comes as an Adrian Peterson trade is likely out of the question, while Felix Jones, Ben Tate and Daniel Thomas are potential free agent options.
The Cowboys let DeMarco Murray leave in free agency this offseason and brought in Darren McFadden and he joins Dunbar, Randle and Ryan Williams on the roster. Jerry Jones has said that McFadden has the potential to start for the team and that the Cowboys are comfortable with the running backs on the roster heading into camp. According to the Dallas Morning News, Randle took most of the first team snaps in the first run of OTAs and that could be due to being more familiar with the offense.
McFadden was signed from the Raiders and he comes in after playing in all 16 games last season for the first time in his career. The report says that Dunbar and Williams have not gotten any first team reps and it's likely the starting job is between McFadden and Randle. According to ESPN Dallas, the Cowboys are interested in adding a free agent back with Ben Tate, Felix Jones and Daniel Thomas all getting tryouts heading into camp.
Jones said in an interview with Fox Sports that he was open to trading a 2016 first round pick for a running back, but right now a deal is not looking likely. Adrian Peterson reportedly still wants out of Minnesota, but at this point it may be too late for the Cowboys to get in on the deal. Other names could be options like Matt Forte or Lamar Miller, but right now the Cowboys are focused on OTAs.
The Dallas Cowboys were considered a top target for an Adrian Peterson trade this offseason, but after signing McFadden and losing DeMarco Murray to the Eagles, it's likely Peterson will not be traded to the Cowboys. If Peterson is not moved, the Cowboys may look at free agents over trades with players like Chris Johnson or Ben Tate to help add depth.
The Cowboys were interested in keeping Murray, but they did not want to overpay and that is likely why they will stay away from Peterson. The team was mentioned numerous times by ESPN and other news outlets as a potential landing spot for Peterson, but now things have developed and it's likely he will not be coming to Dallas. The Cowboys signed McFadden to help with the loss of Murray and since they let Murray go over a contract, it's highly unlikely they will pay an older running back more money than him.
Earlier in the offseason the Cowboys, Colts and Cardinals were mentioned as the best landing spots for Peterson, but now after some players have signed, those options have dwindled. The Colts have Frank Gore and the Cowboys signed McFadden, while the Cardinals may look elsewhere if Peterson keeps his current cap number and salary. Peterson has the highest cap number of any running back in the league and he is signed for three more years for over $40 million.
