The Dallas Cowboys have done extremely well adding to their roster. In the last week, they signed edge rusher Carl Lawson and traded for defensive tackle Jordan Phillips to fill huge needs along the defensive line.
Viewed as an afterthought trade, the Cowboys' acquisition of cornerback Andrew Both already looks like a win. A second-round pick in 2022, Booth led Dallas with eight tackles in Saturday's preseason win over the Raiders. His talent will be tough to leave off the 53-man roster.
Jerry Jones has hinted that the Cowboys aren't done adding to their defense, specifically the defensive tackle position. However, fans have waited with bated breath for the front office to bring in a new running back. They might need to hold out a little longer before final cuts to get their wish.
Or do they? The Dolphins released Salvon Ahmed on Monday in a flurry of roster moves. Ahmed would bring a needed speed element to a Dallas backfield that is otherwise composed of powerful, bruising runners.
Cowboys should kick the tires on former Dolphins RB Salvon Ahmed
The writing has been on the wall for Ahmed ever since the Dolphins drafted Tennessee star Jaylen Wright (a draft crush for many Cowboys fans) in the fourth round.
The Dolphins already had a star-studded backfield headlined by 2023 third-round pick De'Von Achane, who averaged 7.8 yards per carry as a rookie, and veteran Raheem Mostert, who rushed for 1,012 yards and 18 touchdowns last season. It's no surprise that Ahmed became expendable, but that's no indictment on Ahmed.
Claimed off waivers before the 2020 season, Ahmed appeared in 38 games (four starts) with Miami over four seasons. He turned heads as an undrafted rookie with 319 rushing yards and three touchdowns on 4.3 yards per carry. Unfortunately for Ahmed, the Dolphins have since rebuilt their backfield and he has seen just 34 carries over the last two seasons.
Ahmed's stock has fallen, but he'd step in as the fastest and most explosive rusher in the Cowboys' backfield. He has a career 69.3 rushing grade, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). He also has never fumbled on 163 career carries.
Many Cowboys fans would rather the team wait for a more accomplished rusher to get released. Javonte Williams, Khalil Herbert, Dameon Pierce and Miles Sanders are names to watch in that regard. However, there is no guarantee that any of them get cut.
There also isn't anything that says the Cowboys can't sign Ahmed and circle back on a bigger name once teams submit their 53-man rosters.
Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle and (likely) Hunter Luepke are roster locks. Royce Freeman has impressed since signing and Deuce Vaughn finally looked like the player we saw at Kansas State in Saturday's preseason game.
However, the lack of juice and explosion from the backfield has been glaring. Ahmed brings both attributes to the table. He is worth kicking the tires on.
