The Dallas Cowboys are exploring the option of signing former Washington Redskins running back Alfred Morris. Morris had a subpar year with the Redskins, and it appears they will not be afraid to let him seek out greener pastures. Instead, Washington will replace Morris with its young running back tandem of Matt Jones and Chris Thompson who should carry the load offensively.
The Cowboys will still be looking at Darren McFadden as their starter, so some insurance could potentially go a long way. Signing Morris would give the Cowboys a durable (relatively) young running back on their roster. When you look at the Cowboys roster, however, several of those running backs fail to impress.
Guys like Rod Smith and Ben Malena were depth additions to the roster last season when Dallas panicked after failing to find a truly consistent every-down back. The most productive running back during the beginning of the season, Lance Dunbar, tore his ACL and MCL, making it impossible to predict whether or not he will be ready for week one of the 2016 season.
This really leaves only McFadden, and if signed, Morris, on the roster, so there will be room for a rookie running back to develop. Dallas could look to select a running back in the first round regardless if Morris is signed, however it will only do so if it believes that a running back is the best-rated player on its draft board.The Cowboys looked at Matt Forte before he signed with the New York, Jets showing their interest in veteran running backs.
Dallas could look to select a couple of backs throughout the draft, and I am sure most of them will come in for pre-draft visits to Valley Ranch, but it may all come down to where the chips fall. If the San Diego Chargers take Joey Bosa or Jalen Ramsey, or both players are gone prior to Dallas' pick, selecting top running back prospect Ezekiel Elliott could be a no-brainer.
The impact that Todd Gurley had on the Los Angeles Rams is not lost on this league, and signing Elliott would allow the Cowboys the ability to not have to rely on quarterback Tony Romo. The combination of Elliott, Morris and McFadden should be enough to dominate the ground with no questions asked. The Cowboys will need to think long and hard if they want Elliott as their first overall pick.
