While the Dallas Cowboys are solely focused on finishing out the 2023 season as strong as they can, there are already some people who have an eye toward 2024. For Dallas, one of the positions many people think could see a change is running back.
After placing the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard this offseason, a long-term deal was not reached. That means the Cowboys will be in the same position with him this upcoming offseason.
Along with Pollard, Rico Dowdle is also set to hit free agency, leaving a potential gaping void on their depth chart. If both of those players depart, multiple additions will have to be made. Expect the Cowboys to be in the market for a running back, but what tier of that market is undecided.
NFL News & Rumors: Tony Pollard, Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys Updates
Joe Tansey of Bleacher Report suggested that they go to the top of the market and look to swing a blockbuster trade. He believes Alvin Kamara of the New Orleans Saints would be top of the list of possible targets this offseason.
“This is more of a swing-for-the-fences idea than anything, but the potential acquisition of Alvin Kamara could upgrade the Dallas offense from the high level it is already playing at this season.
The 28-year-old would come with a hefty price tag under his current contract, but that might be a risk the Cowboys are willing to take to make their offense as good as any team in the league.
Dallas would likely have to send a few draft picks back to New Orleans, and that potential price tag may make this more fantasy than reality, but it is worth a shot, especially if Pollard signs elsewhere in free agency,” wrote Tansey.
Kamara is in the midst of a five-year, $75 million contract, so categorizing him as a “swing-for-the-fences” acquisition would be accurate. Given the fact that Dallas moved away from Ezekiel Elliott, who was in the middle of a $90 million contract, Kamara’s price tag may be too rich for their blood.
NFL News & Rumors: Tony Pollard, Alvin Kamara, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys Updates
Set to have a $10.2 million salary in 2024 with an $18.8 million cap hit, it is hard to imagine the Cowboys making a move for Kamara. A second consecutive franchise tag for Pollar would cost about $12 million, a significantly cheaper cap hit than what Kamara is on the books for.
With Micah Parsons, CeeDee Lamb and Tyler Biadasz all extension-eligible this offseason, the Cowboys’ main focus may not be on the running back position. But, it should be near the forefront of their to-do list as Pollard leaving would create a huge hole in their offensive game plan.
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