The Dallas Cowboys could look at Ray Rice, Chris Johnson or Felix Jones as free agent options heading into training camp and this comes after the team signed Gus Johnson and let go of Ryan Williams, releasing the running back to leave Joseph Randle, Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar and Lache Seastrunk on the roster.
The Cowboys reportedly have "no interest" and the team has not considered bringing in Johnson "yet," according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. The team is satisfied with the running backs on the roster, but that could change if injuries happen. Randle is expected to be the starter and McFadden the main backup and now that Williams is out of the mix, Johnson or Seastrunk could try and get behind Dunbar on the depth chart.
According to DallasCowboys.com, the team has released Ryan Williams by placing him on waivers and it comes after the team previously signed him as a depth option at running back. Williams had dealt with injuries through his career and in his time with the Cowboys and the team added Gus Johnson after he was previously in the team rookie minicamp. Williams was solid in the preseason last year, but the team knew that they had limited space for an injured running back coming into this season.
Johnson comes in after being undrafted out of Stephen F. Austin and he had some impressive workout numbers in his pro day and could be a solid depth option for the Cowboys. Johnson could be left on the practice squad and he gives the team some insurance behind the main backs. Chris Johnson could get a look later on, but right now the Cowboys are sitting tight.
Speculation about trading for a running back was all over the news this offseason for the Cowboys regarding Adrian Peterson, but the Cowboys had the chance to make a deal earlier this offseason and did not go through with it. The Cowboys likely did not want to give up a first round draft pick this year and they also would be very tight on the cap due to Peterson's big contract. Matt Forte or Doug Martin could be potential trade options down the line for the Cowboys if Jones looks at making a move.
The Vikings appear ready to keep Peterson for the future after giving him a new contract and if the Cowboys make a move, players like Forte or Martin are more likely. Forte is 29 years old and coming into the final year of his contract and he could be a target after the Bears drafted Jeremy Langford. Martin was put on the trade block at the deadline last season and he could be an option for the Buccaneers to trade after taking Charles Sims last year.
The Cowboys could look at free agents for some depth behind McFadden and Randle on the roster and players like Steven Jackson, Chris Johnson, Pierre Thomas and Knowshon Moreno are available on the market. None of those names really are better than McFadden, but heading into camp it doesn't hurt to have too many running backs. The team also has Lance Dunbar on the roster behind McFadden, who signed as a free agent after playing in all 16 games with the Raiders last season.
The Dallas Cowboys are coming into offseason workouts with Darren McFadden and Joseph Randle as their main running backs and the team could add a free agent like Chris Johnson or Steven Jackson for some depth.
