The Dallas Cowboys are being urged to trade for another running back ahead of the 2025 season.
FRISCO - Last year, the Dallas Cowboys' leading rusher was Rico Dowdle. In what was a career season for the South Carolina Gamecock, Dowdle carried for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns while averaging 4.6 yards per carry.
It was somewhat of a surprise success for Dowdle, who had never carried for more than 361 yards in a full season before.
Dowdle will suit up for the Carolina Panthers next season after signing a one-year, $2.75 million deal in free agency.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25517896/usa_today_22238140.jpg)
Aside from Dowdle last year, the Cowboys struggled in the run game, ranking No. 27 in the league with 1,705 yards and No. 30 with 4.0 yards per carry. With Dowdle now gone, Dallas is searching for answers.
New Cowboys' head coach Brian Schottenheimer knows how important the rushing attack is in the NFL, and spoke of it at the Combine in February, saying, "At the end of the day, you have to be able to run the football. We’ve made a commitment that we want to be great on both sides of the line of scrimmage."
Dallas signed Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams in free agency, then drafted Longhorns running back Jaydon Blue in the fifth round this season. They're all either inexperienced or have lacked recent significant success in the league.
That's why at least one writer is urging the Cowboys to acquire Houston Texans running back Dameon Pierce via trade.
"Some Cowboys fans may question if this move even makes sense for the Cowboys. With Sanders reportedly looking explosive in OTAs and minicamp, and Williams filling that bruiser role, Pierce wouldn't fit anywhere in the room," Joseph Grassano of SportDFW.com wrote. "However, any reports on running backs during OTAs and minicamp must be taken with a grain of salt since they aren't wearing pads. It's possible that Sanders will continue to look good when training camp starts on July 22.
"But there's also a real chance that when the pads come on, he looks like he did in Carolina. That is why the Cowboys should at least call about Pierce before training camp."
Pierce is still a young player at just 25. years old. Across three seasons with the Texans, the former Florida Gator has rushed for 1,648 yards and eight touchdowns, while averaging 4.1. yards per carry.
It's possible he could find greater success behind a re-tooled Dallas offensive line and become the RB1 that some seem to think he could. In Houston, it's hard to believe he'll have the same opportunity behind two-time Pro Bowler Joe Mixon ... and now Houston has also signed Nick Chubb.
That could make him available. But we're not sure it makes him desirable. If Pierce, who started there as a rookie, has what it takes to be an NFL first-stringer, why did the Texans bring in Chubb?
