In the last couple of days, the Dallas Cowboys have gotten their roster down to the NFL-mandated 53 players and also made a trade. The trade was for running back Christine Michael, and he is the last person that anyone thought the Cowboys would bring in. Some wonder if the Cowboys are truly set at running back now, or will they still look at some of the other veteran free agents…such as Ray Rice.
Dallas is trading a conditional draft pick to Seattle for RB Christine Michael, per source. RB help for Dallas.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 6, 2015
On Sunday, it was revealed that the Cowboys had traded away a conditional draft pick to the Seattle Seahawks for Christine Michael. Pro Football Talk says that this trade makes sense for both teams because Dallas needed the help in the offensive backfield and the the Seahawks now had too much.
Seattle added free agent running back Fred Jackson late last week after the Buffalo Bills cut the veteran.
Michael is a 220-pound back drafted in the second round of 2013, and he has never done much since landing in the NFL. Over two seasons, he played in just 14 games and carried the ball a mere 52 times for an average of 4.9 yards per carry.
Over the past couple of months, the Cowboys have been linked to numerous running backs such as Chris Johnson (Cardinals) and Pierre Thomas. Rumor has it that they might trade for Montee Ball of the Denver Broncos or Terrance West of the Cleveland Browns .
West has just been traded from the Browns to the Tennessee Titans for a draft pick, and that leaves them with one less running back. NBC Sports reports that the Browns are actually looking to possibly add veteran free agent Ray Rice.
Apparently, internal discussions have been made about Rice and the Browns could seriously look at him now with the trade of West. Browns head coach Mike Pettine was in Baltimore during the early part of Rice’s career, and current Cleveland running backs coach Wilbert Montgomery coached Rice for six years with the Ravens.
Even though the Cowboys traded for Michael, they aren’t necessarily done looking at free agent running backs. Michael adds to an offensive backfield including Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle, and Lance Dubar who will be a running back by committee this seaosn.
If production isn’t shown within the first few games, Jerry Jones may go looking again and Ray Rice may still be there.
The Dallas Cowboys now have a stockpile of running back talent with the addition of Christine Michael, but none are franchise talents. Ray Rice or Trent Richardson or a host of other running backs are still out there as free agents, and any could land in Dallas before the season is over.
[Image via Getty Images – Patrick Smith]