As the NFL trade deadline approaches, the Cowboys face a crucial opportunity to address significant roster concerns stemming from an underwhelming offseason. The most pressing issue lies at running back, particularly after the team allowed Tony Pollard to depart in free agency without adequately replacing him.
The Cowboys did not draft a running back, and their only outside acquisition was Ezekiel Elliott, who has struggled to regain his former effectiveness. Currently, Dallas ranks last in the NFL with just 463 rushing yards.
On a positive note, the Cowboys could be well-positioned to acquire a running back before the deadline. While the focus has primarily been on wide receivers in recent trades, interest in running backs may soon increase.
However, the downside is the Cowboys’ owner, Jerry Jones, who has historically been hesitant to engage in in-season trades.
Cowboys Might go after Travis Etienne
One potential target is Travis Etienne of the Jaguars, who has seen his role diminish this season. According to ESPN’s recent article titled, “Guide to every NFL team’s trade deadline: Candidates to be moved, targets who could fit and biggest needs,” Etienne could be a suitable addition for Dallas.
In his first two seasons, Etienne made an impact with consecutive 1,000-yard campaigns, totaling 2,133 rushing yards and contributing 792 receiving yards. However, this season has seen him reduced to 230 rushing yards in six games, with only nine carries over the last two weeks. This is a significant decline for a former first-round pick from Clemson who previously set the ACC career rushing record with 4,952 yards.
ESPN notes that a trade for Etienne would be logical: “Jaguars running back Travis Etienne Jr. If we assume that a return to health on defense will also bring a return to form for the entire team, then the biggest need in Dallas is at running back, where the Cowboys are totally lacking juice.
Etienne is far from a perfect runner and has arguably now lost his job to Tank Bigsby, but he still has big-play potential and can catch the ball out of the backfield. He’d bring more explosiveness to Rico Dowdle‘s role.”
