DALLAS - The Dallas Cowboys currently rank No. 28 overall in the league in yards per carry at 3.5, andt the lack of an impactful running game has played a huge part in their two losses this season. Not being able to have runs that will slow down the pass rush, or get big bursts down the field, is hurting the offense and allowing defenses to key on the pass.
The longest run of the year for the Cowboys is 12 yards, and that was from quarterback Dak Prescott. Dallas needs to have a decent running game for their offensive scheme to be successful. Relying on Prescott to through the ball 40+ times a game just isn't a winning formula for the Cowboys.
ESPN's Dan Graziano believes that the Cowboys could add to their backfield by the Nov. 5 trade deadline.
"They didn't invest in the position this offseason and aren't generating much in the run game so far," Graziano wrote. "Maybe they could use a boost from the outside ...''
During the offseason, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones opted to pass on free agent running back Derrick Henry, who ran all over the Cowboys defense last Sunday, and bring back Ezekiel Elliot instead.
Elliott currently has 24 carries for 81 yards on the season. Henry 56 carries for 281 yards and four touchdowns. Looks like they missed the boat on that.
Graziano mentions that the Cowboys could trade for Carolina Panthers running back Miles Sanders. But wait ... the former Pro Bowl running back has fewer yards and fewer carries than Elliott this season.
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And another "but wait'': What would motivate Dallas to be a "double-spender'' here? That is to say, the cost of the trade (a draft pick) and the cost of Sanders' salary (which we have as a prorated portion of $6 million)?
Graziano suggests Carolina might pay a portion of the salary for the Cowboys, but that is a guess, not a conclusion arrived at via a source.
In the end, what evidence is there that Sanders - who went he was right would've certainly been the best back on this Dallas roster - is still right?
The smarter, cheaper and more immediate play for a Dallas team that is keeping its cap powder dry for 2025 would be to sign Dalvin Cook to the 53-man roster.