The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Darren McFadden after DeMarco Murray left for the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency. But McFadden isn't expected to effectively replace Murray. That's why the Cowboys may not be done spending money on free agent running backs.
One name that is being floated out there is Stevan Ridley. Of course, Ridley is coming off a torn ACL and MCL. But he's had success in the past and won't be very expensive.
"While McFadden played in all 16 games for Oakland last season, he averaged just 3.4 yards per carry with a long of just 25 yards," ESPN NFL Insider Field Yates wrote. "Surely the offense line play in Dallas is vastly superior to Oakland's, but to assume McFadden can simply and smoothly transition into the Murray role would be underselling how brilliant the new Eagle was in 2014. If the team wanted to add another free agent into the mix, I think Stevan Ridley is a worthwhile investment on a one-year deal following his ACL tear last season."
Ridley's best season came in 2012 when he rushed for 1,263 yards on a 4.4 yards-per-carry average and 12 touchdowns. Although Bill Belichick loves to use a revolving door of running backs, it's still possible that he values Ridley's north-south running style.
"[M]y sense on Ridley is that he's looking for the right situation where he'll have the best chance to maximize a one-year 'prove-it' type deal," ESPN Patriots reporter Mike Reiss wrote. "So it's not like he doesn't have options, it's just choosing the right option.
"That could ultimately be the Patriots, but right now, I don't think that's the mindset."
The Patriots and Cowboys both have dwindling cap space after a series of free agent signings. But a one-year deal from either team is likely do-able. The question is, which team would Ridley prefer?
