The Dallas Cowboys have struggled in 2024, specifically in the run game. They could turn to free agency instead of relying on the draft to fill their need at running back.
While listing players that the Cowboys could use to fix the running game instead of drafting Ashton Jeanty, FanSided’s Rucker Haringey urged the team to sign Green Bay Packers running back AJ Dillon.
“Assuming he’s healthy, Dillon checks a lot of boxes for a Cowboys offense that wants to be more physical at the line of scrimmage. He’s a classic bruising back who can punish opposing front sevens with his intense style of running,” wrote Haringey. “Green Bay really leveraged his size to punish defenses who tried to load the box to stymy their ground game.”
The Cowboys rank near the bottom of the league in every rushing statistic. Although running back is a need, using a first-round pick on a running back may not be what the Cowboys need. They have other holes to fill on their roster. Jeanty is a candidate to win the Heisman trophy and will surely be linked to the Cowboys in many mock drafts.
“Some Cowboys fans might fantasize about the team spending a first-round pick on Boise State star Ashton Jeanty, but the more prudent course of action would be to invest less money in the running back position,” wrote Haringey. “There are several free agents who could prove to be interesting options for the team. A prospect who can be acquired via a later round pick could also be a shrewd acquisition.”
Dillon is a bruising back who has put up good numbers when he’s healthy, despite not being the feature back for most of his time with the Packers. Since being drafted in 2020, he has 2,428 career rushing yards, 763 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns despite starting just 11 games in his career. He could give the Cowboys a solid running back, and they could get him a running mate later in the draft.
