We've written at length about the issues facing the Dallas Cowboys in free agency this offseason. To recap: both DeMarco Murray and Dez Bryant are set to hit the open market. There may not be enough salary cap space for both of them, so team owner and general manager Jerry Jones might have some difficult choices on his hands.
The popular argument is to prioritize Bryant over Murray. The running back position has become devalued in recent seasons and productive, more affordable options are out there should the Cowboys choose to go that route.
One such option is Georgia running back Todd Gurley.
"Set to hit free agency, DeMarco Murray is going to command a lot of money," Rob Rang of CBS Sports wrote in his NFL Mock Draft. "The Cowboys could re-sign him and elect to fill a hole on defense with this pick but it is hard to imagine Jerry Jones being able to turn down a player with Gurley's talent should the Cowboys be in the market for a starting running back."
Gurley is still recovering from a torn ACL but assuming he is fully healthy he is arguably the top running back in this draft class. Gurely carried the ball 123 times for 911 yards (7.4 average) and nine touchdowns in six games this past season. If Gurley proves that he is healthy before the draft, he could be the first running back taken in the first round since Trent Richardson in 2012.
Gurley could also be a less expensive and effective option for the Cowboys. While absolutely nothing is guaranteed in the NFL, replacing Murray with Gurley would allow Dallas to re-sign one of the game's preeminent wide receivers in Bryant to a long-term deal. Gurley does not have the same type of natural pass-catching skills as Murray, but playing behind three first-round picks on the offensive line will surely make his life a bit easier.
The Cowboys will likely make their offseason intentions known in the coming weeks.
