FRISCO - The folks who run the Dallas Cowboys and the folks who run the New York Jets have a few things in common.
They are both coming off dismal 2024 seasons. They are both at he 2025 NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis. And they are both dealing with possible changes at running back.
In Dallas' case? Last year's starter Rico Dowdle is taking his 1,000-yard season to free agency. Cowboys COO Stephen Jones has stated that Dallas wants him back ...
But what if Dallas can do better?
New Jets general manager Darren Mougey this week spoke to the media with a "state of the union address'' of sorts. And when the subject turned to the NFL Draft? Mougey made it clear that he was excited about two position groups in particular: defensive line ... and running back.
"I think it is a good draft," Mougey said. "I really got more exposure to it two weeks ago when all the college scouts were in the building and I feel strong about this class. I think it is a really strong defensive line group and good running back group ...''
Our Jets beat writer Nick Faria is covering the Combine and is in Indy, and it strikes him as notable that the GM would highlight the good running backs in this draft when he's already got a good running back on the roster.
Writes Faria: "Why would Mougey bring up his position group in the draft? New York has needs for additional starters at receiver and corner. They would have been understood had they mentioned either position.
"They are supposed to be set at running back, though.''
It is former second-round pick Breece Hall - the lead back in New York since he was taken as part of the team's 2022 NFL Draft Class - who is ideally providing that "set'' status. Many NFL folks consider him, at 23, a potential breakout star.
So why would New York ever move him? The problem is he is eligible for an extension this offseason and will be a free agent after the 2026 season.
Hall is scheduled to make just $3.3 million this year - a bargain, in our minds.
He is projected by Spotrac to eventually get a four-year contract at $7 million per year - not out of whack, in our minds.
Dallas can be linked to Hall here as long as New York is essentially "giving him away,'' that is, the Cowboys shouldn't forfeit a premium pick.
But it is certainly conceivable that the Jets' new regime is going to want to bring its own personnel in.
And connecting the dots? Dallas could trade for him, set him up as the featured back and then either sign him to an extension or make this a one-year rental that results in a compensatory pick down the line.
Cowboys COO Stephen Jones is vowing to use "all avenues'' to roster-build. And we would suggest that "winning a trade'' for a budding star running back is a pretty good avenue on which to travel.
