3 running backs the Cowboys could target to replace Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys have made the tough but perhaps overdue decision to move on from former first-round running back Ezekiel Elliott. Elliott was very successful as a member of the Cowboys, but the team is saving $10.9 million after June 1 by releasing him and designating him as a “post-June 1 release”. With franchise player Tony Pollard recovering from an injury suffered in the playoffs, the Cowboys are going to need to address the running back position.

Now, that could happen in a variety of ways. They don’t necessarily need to target free agents to come in and replace Elliott, especially because they’re obviously trying to save money at that position. But there might be some players that could come in for a reasonable price and make an impact for this team, perhaps a substantial one, in 2023.

Let’s take a look at three possibilities that currently exist in NFL Free Agency that might come at a budget-friendly price.

3 running backs for the Dallas Cowboys to target to replace Ezekiel Elliott

1. Latavius Murray, Denver Broncos

Although Latavius Murray isn’t getting any younger, it also doesn’t really look like his game is diminishing all that much. The Denver Broncos found themselves in a serious pickle last year, entering the season with a presumably very good duo of Javonte Williams and Melvin Gordon.

Unfortunately, Williams suffered a season-ending knee injury early on. Melvin Gordon struggled simultaneously (and very badly) with fumbles. The Broncos had no choice but to move on from Gordon and call upon the best veteran available. At the time, that was Saints practice squad running back Latavius Murray.

Murray was fresh off of a London game when the Broncos came calling, and he wound up becoming the RB1 for the Broncos over the course of the rest of the season. He ended up with over 700 yards and an average of 4.4 yards per carry for the Broncos with five rushing touchdowns and 26 receptions.

Murray stabilized a really shaky ground game for the Broncos last year and even entering his age 33 season, I think he’s capable of helping a team like Dallas.

2. Damien Harris, New England Patriots

If the Dallas Cowboys are looking for a physical runner who can get downhill in a hurry to replace Ezekiel Elliott, they could certainly do worse than adding former New England Patriots running back Damien Harris.

Harris was a third-round pick out of Alabama back in the 2019 NFL Draft. At the time, a lot of people really fell in love with his three-down capabilities, and specifically, his ability to pass protect stood out on tape as a member of the Crimson Tide. But when you watch the 2021 season Harris had, it’s hard not to fall in love with some of the things he can do as a runner on a consistent basis in terms of creating yards after contact.

In 2021, Harris had a breakout campaign with a whopping 15 touchdowns, over 1,000 yards from scrimmage, and a career-best 18 receptions. His production in 2022 fell off a cliff when the Patriots really gave way to Rhamondre Stevenson as the RB1 in their offense. Harris was being phased out.

He had just 123 touches in 11 games, down by nearly 100 touches compared to the year prior. I think Harris, at this stage of free agency, really presents a tremendous value to a team like the Cowboys. He has been effective in a tandem backfield, he’s a good contrast to the skills of Tony Pollard, and he could really help a team like Dallas finish out games.

3. Leonard Fournette, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Dallas Cowboys said goodbye to one former high first-round draft pick when they let go of Ezekiel Elliott. Could they say hello to another?

Could “Lombardi Lenny” make his way to Dallas?

Although Leonard Fournette hasn’t exactly lived up to his billing as a former top-five draft pick, he has managed to rack up at least 1,100 yards from scrimmage in three of the last four seasons. Perhaps his best stretch of play as a pro came in that tremendous 2020 playoff run for the Buccaneers when he became known as “Lombardi Lenny” when he ran for 300 yards and racked up 148 receiving yards in three playoff games.

I’m sure if the Cowboys signed Leonard Fournette, we would see a lot of Spiderman memes floating around with people wondering why you would let go of Elliott just to sign someone like Fournette. They’re kind of the same guy at this point, right?

Even if that may be the case where Fournette’s best days are behind him, the concept here is getting some experience at the running back position which is something Dallas will need and want to replace after losing Elliott. You get a guy like Fournette who can help you close out games by playing all three downs and grinding out tough yards in short-yardage situations.

This isn’t meant to be a splashy type of move, but Fournette is a big-name player who could certainly be effective in Dallas’ system on a short-term deal. I don’t think this would be the worst idea leading up to the NFL Draft where the Cowboys could then set themselves up to take a back with fresh legs.