For years, the Dallas Cowboys have valued the running back position more than any other team in the NFL. As recently as 2016, they used a top-five pick at the position, selecting Ezekiel Elliott fourth overall. In 2019, when most teams were running away from the position, they doubled down and made Elliott the NFL’s highest-paid rusher. Then in 2023, while they were still trying to get rid of the dead money from the Elliott trade, Dallas signed Tony Pollard for over $10 million. The Cowboys have long been committed to the RB position, and it seems logical.
Eventually the Cowboys evolved. After letting their two top RB players go in the 2024 offseason, they did a 180-degree turn on strategy, largely ignoring free agency and the position in the draft. They took a committee approach and split the offense between longtime backup Rico Dowdle and Elliott, who is joining the team for the second time. Dowdle gave them a strong season.
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Despite a breakout year, Dallas applied their newfound aloofness to the position and allowed Dowdell to leave in free agency in 2025. They believed in the strength of the offensive line rather than the rushers themselves, so they signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders in free agency to low-dollar deals. They continued their modest investment strategy, adding a pair of Day 3 picks in Jayden Blue and Phil Mafah. Lo and behold, their frugality paid off again, as Williams exploded for 1,200 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns.
With Williams now a free agent, the Cowboys enter 2026 in a familiar position. Will they continue to learn from their experience and treat RB as a replaceable piece? Will they go back to their old strategy and invest heavily in the RB position?
The Cowboys have expressed a desire to re-sign Williams, but the sincerity of the statement and the parameters of a potential deal are unclear. Williams proves that even something as annoying as a sticky stat can’t stop a good guy when placed in the right situation. PFF ranked Williams No. 21 in the NFL last year in terms of rushing ability, receiving ability and pass protection. He adds obvious value, but to be fair, offensive coordinator Clayton Adams and the offensive line probably should get most of the credit.
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Spotrac now estimates Williams will get an AAV deal worth an average of $7,339,098, which is a lot of money.
Dowdle is also expected to receive a raise after playing for two different teams in two consecutive seasons. Last year, Spotrac ranked him as the No. 54 RB with an AAV of $6,543,350. Joining Dowdell and Williams in free agency are other high-priced rushers such as Brace Hall, Kenneth Walker III and Rachad White. All three will receive raises and all three ranked in PFF’s top 11 last season.
If the Cowboys decide not to learn their lesson, they can go with any of those options. But if they opt for the same successful alternative theoretical strategy that brings them value in 2024 and 2025, a lower-level free agent like Tyler Alguerre, Michael Carter or Kenneth Gainwell might be more to their liking.
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The Cowboys’ actions in 2026 will depend on how sustainable they believe their newly developed strategy is.
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This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dowdle, Williams may teach Cowboys valuable RB lesson
