The Dallas Cowboys got more out of Darren McFadden than many were expecting them to in 0215. The running back put up a 1,000-yard season while managing to stay healthy for the first time in years. While it was still not enough to get the team a winning season after the loss of Tony Romo, it helped make up for the loss of DeMarco Murray. While the Cowboys are planning on keeping McFadden going in 2016, they still need a long-term option on the roster.
The Cowboys are not hiding how happy they are with the season McFadden had. Team vice president Stephen Jones told 105.3 The Fan in Dallas that he hopes McFadden can keep up the success found this year after players like Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar were lost for the season. The Cowboys are hopeful the momentum continues.
"Week in and week out he made big runs for us," head coach Jason Garrett said, via ESPN.com. "He was a productive player for us. I do think he got better and better as the year went on. He's a mentally tough guy, he's a physically tough guy. I thought he handled the workload really well this year. No reason for us to think that he can't do it again next year."
The breakout year for McFadden was good, but can it be continued. Consistency has not been the running back's strongest suit which means the Cowboys need to target a younger back that can rotate in. According to the Dallas Morning News, re-signing Dunbar will be a priority moving forward. The running back is expected to return healthy next season and will be a solid change-of-pace player like he was through the first four games of the season. That still does not fix the need for another back behind McFadden. The Cowboys now need to decide between free agency or the draft for help.
According to the Morning News, the Cowboys draft early enough in the second round that they could aim to pick a running back then and be able to choose between Derrick Henry and Ezekiel Elliott. Henry would be a solid replacement to the workhorse mentality Murray had while Elliott is favored for his speed and agility. Both running backs are deemed NFL ready and could start right away.
The Cowboys are in a good place financially which might lead them to the free agent market. The championship window is closing in Dallas with the health of Tony Romo. Lamar Miller, Doug Martin or Chris Ivory would be intriguing pickups considering their already-established talent. Dallas has options and while they were thrilled with what McFadden did in 2015, they need help to keep it going in 2016.
