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Dallas Cowboys: 3 Players to let walk, cut and re-sign in 2019

By Randy Gurzi

ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: Sean Lee (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - AUGUST 26: Sean Lee (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys scores an 81 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY – DECEMBER 10: Rod Smith #45 of the Dallas Cowboys scores an 81 yard touchdown against the New York Giants during the fourth quarter in the game at MetLife Stadium on December 10, 2017 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Should be re-signed: Rod Smith, Running Back

The backup running back in Dallas is one of the least glamorous jobs in the NFL. The Cowboys ride Ezekiel Elliott more than any team does with their franchise back, and he repays them by continually being one of the best backs in the game — and he looks poised to finish 2018 as the leading rusher in the NFL for the second time in his three year career.

This doesn’t mean that Dallas should ignore the players behind him. All season, Zeke has been beaten up this season and has been seen limping off the field at times. Somehow he always manages to shrug off whatever bruises he has and Elliott just keeps going. However, the Cowboys would be smart to keep someone who can carry the load in case he does ever get banged up bad enough to miss time.

That’s why re-signing Rod Smith would make sense. Elliott’s former backup at Ohio State proved during Elliott’s suspension in 2017 that he can make defenses respect the ground game. He had 55 rushes for 232 yards and four touchdowns. He showed even more promise as a receiver, bringing in 19 receptions for 202 yards and a career-high 81-yard touchdown.

No one will ever mistake Smith for Elliott, but the 235-pound running back has been a good find for the Boys and they should keep their working relationship intact.

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