Jerry Jones watched on as his Dallas Cowboys struggled during the 2024 NFL season, falling to 7-10 and failing to make the playoffs for the first time since the 2020 season, coach Mike McCarthy's first season with the team.
The Cowboys have already had some big changes, including the switch from McCarthy to Brian Schottenheimer and guard Zack Martin's retirement. However, another area that they may need to address in the upcoming free agency is the running back position.
Rico Dowdle had a solid season in his first year as a full-time starter. The former South Carolina star recorded 259 carries for 1,079 yards and two touchdowns. He didn't eclipse the 100-yard mark in a game until Nov. 28, when he went three-straight games reaching this mark.
With Dowdle entering the offseason as an unrestricted free agent, the Cowboys may have to pursue another running back. Mike Jones of The Athletic believes Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris would be a great fit for Dallas.
"Jerry Jones committed malpractice by neglecting to address the running back position last offseason," Jones wrote. "Perhaps he has learned from his mistake and will devote resources to it now to give first-year head coach Brian Schottenheimer and quarterback Dak Prescott a better shot at success. Harris played in every game over the past four seasons for the Steelers, but Pittsburgh declined his fifth-year option."
Harris has been a solid running back since joining the Steelers in 2021. He has eclipsed 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first four seasons, totaling 1,097 carries for 4,312 yards and 28 touchdowns.
If the Cowboys were to sign Harris, he would provide them with something they were missing last season: a short-yard situation running back. His 6-foot-1, 245-pound frame could help Dallas get into the end zone at the goal line more effectively, with every 2024 Cowboys running back proven ineffective in that area (three total rushing touchdowns).
