Dallas Cowboys Rumors: Free Agency Plans Include Two New Running Backs And Re-Signing A Linebacker
The new league year in the NFL is very close to beginning, and that means free agency is about to go wild everywhere. The Dallas Cowboys are coming off of a horrible season in 2015 and know that changes need to be made. With that being said, rumors are flying and it appears as if they are interested in running backs Lamar Miller and Bilal Powell while also wanting to re-sign one of their own in Rolando McClain.
A day before the 2016 NFL free agency period was even set to begin, the Cowboys were attached to multiple rumors. One has them interested in three big defensive names — Mario Williams, Pacman Jones, and Adrian Clayborn. Another rumor has them interested in trading with the Los Angeles Rams for quarterback Nick Foles.
Well, shortly after those rumors started, Mario Williams signed a big deal with the Miami Dolphins, according to ESPN. So, there’s one name off the table, but there are plenty of others.
According to Sportige, the Cowboys are interested in snagging running back Bilal Powell away from the New York Jets. Unfortunately, the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots have the same idea. That’s not even including the Jets, who have already lost one running back as Chris Ivory is heading to Jacksonville.
Used primarily as a back-up rusher, Powell has a lot of talent and a huge upside that would be great to pair with Darren McFadden. If they can’t get him though, the Cowboys have another option at running back.
Last season, he had 194 carries for 872 yards and eight touchdowns, which aren’t bad numbers at all. They are down from his 2014 numbers in carries and yards, but his receptions improved to 47 and he had 397 yards receiving to go along with another two scores.
If Dallas is going to make a run at any big-name free agent running backs though, the Cowboys need to hurry. Pro Football Talk states that the Houston Texans are “working toward a deal” with Lamar Miller and could be signed on Wednesday when the new league year starts.
ESPN is reporting that Dallas has been intent on re-signing linebacker Rolando McClain, and it seems as if they kept their word. It appears as if a deal has been made between the Cowboys and McClain to keep him in Dallas for the time being.
Reports state that the deal is just a one-year contract worth $5 million, but the shortness of it is likely for a reason. While McClain has been huge on the field for Dallas, his off-field actions and some incidents are a cause for concern.
That includes a failed drug test in 2015. Perhaps that ended up limiting the amount of suitors he may have had in free agency, but the Cowboys know how well he can play on the field. If he stays clean and out of trouble and has a monster year, a much more lucrative deal could come his way for 2017.
When NFL free agency officially begins, it can be a slow crawl or a made dash, but the players the Dallas Cowboys are interested in, all appear to have attention from other teams. If the right moves are going to be made, the ‘Boys need to be proactive and get moving on them now.
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