For years the Dallas Cowboys valued the running back position more than just about anyone else in the NFL. As recently as 2016, they used a top-five draft pick on the position, selecting Ezekiel Elliott No. 4 overall. In 2019, a time when most teams were running away from the position, they doubled down and made Elliott the highest paid rusher in the NFL. Then in 2023, a time they were still trying to get out from under the dead money on Elliott’s deal, Dallas franchise tagged Tony Pollard at a rate over $10 million. The Cowboys were committed to the RB position long past the days it seemed logical to do so.
Eventually the Cowboys evolved. After letting their top two RBs leave over the 2024 offseason, they pulled a strategic 180 and largely ignored the position in both free agency and the draft. They instituted a committee approach and split the carries between their longtime backup, Rico Dowdle, and Elliott, who was on his second stint with the team. Dowdle rewarded them with a strong season.
Advertisement
Despite the breakout year, Dallas applied their newly found indifference to the position and allowed Dowdle to leave in free agency in 2025. Believing the power was found in the offensive line and not the rusher themselves, they signed veterans Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders to a pair of low-dollar deals in free agency. They continued their modest investment strategy by adding a pair of Day 3 draft picks in Jayden Blue and Phil Mafah. Low and behold, they were again rewarded for their frugality with Williams exploding for 1,200 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
With Williams now a free agent the Cowboys enter 2026 in a familiar position. Do they continue to apply the lesson learned and treat RB like a replaceable part of do they pivot back to the strategy of old and spend big at the RB position?
The Cowboys have stated their desire to re-sign Williams but the sincerity of the statements and parameters of a potential deal are anyone’s guess. Williams proved even a pesky thing like sticky stats can’t keep a good man down when placed in the right situation. Looking at rushing ability, receiving ability and pass protection, PFF graded Williams No. 21 in the NFL last year. He added clear value but it’s fair to say offensive coordinator Klayton Adams and the offensive line probably deserve most of the credit.
Advertisement
Spotrac now estimates Williams will get a deal that averages $7,339,098 in AAV, which is no small sum.
After posting career years in two consecutive seasons on two different teams, Dowdle is also in line for a raise. Grading out as RB No. 54 last year, Spotrac has him at an AAV of $6,543,350. Joining Dowdle and Williams in free agency are other high-priced rushers like Breece Hall, Kenneth Walker III and Rachaad White. All three will command raises and all three graded in PFF’s top 11 last season.
The Cowboys could go for any of those options if they decided lessons should be unlearned. But if they opt for the same successful replacement theory strategy that gave them value in 2024 and 2025, then low-level free agents like Tyler Allgeirer, Michael Carter, or Kenneth Gainwell could be more to their liking.
Advertisement
What the Cowboys do in 2026 will come down to how sustainable they think their newly found strategy can be.
You can follow Reid on X @ReidDHanson and be sure to follow Cowboys Wire on Facebook to join in on the conversation with fellow fans!
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Dowdle, Williams may have taught Cowboys valuable lesson about RBs
