The Dallas Cowboys are not looking at a trade for Adrian Peterson or Matt Forte this offseason, but players like Chris Johnson, Felix Jones, Ben Tate and Daniel Thomas could be free agent options to add heading into training camp to help Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle on the roster and this comes as Dez Bryant may not hold out while working on a new contract.
The Cowboys did not add a running back in the draft after letting DeMarco Murray walk in free agency and now the team could look at signing someone into training camp. According to Todd Archer at ESPN Dallas, while a trade could be an option if the team gives up a first round draft pick, the team is not expected to make a deal before training camp. Archer reports that both Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett are happy with the running backs on the roster and if an addition is made, it likely will be a free agent.
According to Pro Football Talk, the Cowboys held tryouts for a number of running backs heading into OTA workouts, including Ben Tate, Felix Jones and Daniel Thomas. Chris Johnson has put his name out there for the Cowboys and he also could be an option on the free agent market after a so-so season for the Jets. The Cowboys had Murray last season and he put up a career year, but with his age and his injury history, the team did not want to pay big money for him, especially with Dez Bryant's contract still to come.
According to Pro Football Talk, Bryant has shown up to OTA workouts after some previously thought he would hold out for a new contract, as he has been hit with the franchise tag. The two sides have until July 15 to work out a long term deal and ESPN Dallas reports that this could be a "good faith" move by Bryant and a sign progress is being made. Bryant participated in individual drills last week and the two sides may agree to a new long term deal, or Bryant can sign his one year tender at $12.82 million.
The Cowboys signed Darren McFadden in the offseason to a free agent deal and he is considered to be in the running to get the starting job with Joseph Randle. McFadden was signed after making it through 16 games healthy for the first time with the Raiders and he should get the chance to start with Randle, who is in on the depth chart ahead of Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams.
Dunbar and Williams are solid depth options on the roster, but the Cowboys will need to add more if someone gets injured and that could happen with McFadden at the top after his past history. Randle comes in with the chance to win the job and he comes in after averaging over six yards per carry while playing in all 16 games and rushing for 343 yards. Bryant is the main name to watch in camp, as he had a monster year and should be in line for a big contract from the Cowboys.
