What is Plan B?
That's what the Dallas Cowboys have to be asking themselves at this point in free agency.
"Dallas now calling around for other RBs. Cowboys know they've lost DeMarco Murray to the Eagles," ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter tweeted.
With Murray, the NFL's leading rusher last season gone, where will the Cowboys turn to for running back help? The team has Joseph Randle, Lance Dunbar and Ryan Williams on the roster, but each comes with his own set of question marks. Randle has been arrested twice in the past five months. Dunbar has proven not be an every down player and Williams never made it off the practice squad last season.
What about the remaining free agent running backs?
"According to multiple sources, the Cowboys are not ready to check in on the middle-to-lower level running back that are available, including C.J. Spiller and Darren McFadden, at this time," ESPN Cowboys reporter Todd Archer wrote yesterday. Has the team's new realization changed that plan? Will Murray's decision push owner Jerry Jones to finally follow up on his long held interest in Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson?
One route the Cowboys could go is the NFL draft. This year's draft class of running backs is especially talented. Wisconsin's Melvin Gordon and Georgia's Todd Gurley are both possible options with the 27th overall pick. However, a running back has not be chosen in the first round of the NFL draft since the Cleveland Browns selected Trent Richardson third overall in 2012. Would Dallas be willing to break that trend for a supremely talented runner? The team does have three first-round picks on its offensive line, making the running game a main strength of the team.
Regardless of which players the Cowboys add, it will be hard to replace Murray's production. The former Sooner had the best season of his career last year as he led the NFL in rushing with 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. (4.7 yards-per-carry) while catching 57 passes for 416 yards.
