The Dallas Cowboys have one of the best, if not the best, running backs in the entire NFL in Ezekiel Elliott. But, the cupboard behind him is pretty bare and likely needs to be addressed at some point with either a free agent or a rookie.
Adding depth to the running back position isn’t necessarily a top priority because Ezekiel Elliott will rarely come off the field, but you have to have a good contingency plan in place for emergency situations.
I personally believe the Cowboys will go bargain shopping this off-season and find a capable free agent RB to back up Elliott for the 2017 season. A player that makes sense to me is former Cincinnati Bengal, Rex Burkhead.
Yes, that white running back that used to play at the University of Nebraska.
That seems to be all that anybody knows about Burkhead or at least the only thing I ever hear when his name pops up. It may sound racist, but it’s true.
Now, before you cast this idea to the side, you have to give me a chance to explain why this makes a lot of sense for the Cowboys.
Burkhead isn’t the biggest or fastest running back in the league, but his value lies in all of the different ways he can contribute to the team.
Burkhead isn’t what you would consider an every down type of RB, but he is more than capable of toting rock given the opportunity.
In fact, the only time Burkhead really got to show his stuff was towards the end of the year in 2016 against the Baltimore Ravens. He took full advantage of his opportunity and ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns on just 27 carries. That was against one of the best run defending defenses in the entire league.
He is a decisive runner and doesn’t shy away from contact. He also has good vision and is more elusive than a lot of people give him credit for.
With the Cowboys he would likely be the change of pace back and take over Lance Dunbar’s role on offense. But, unlike Dunbar, Burkhead is much more suited to run the ball between the tackles.
Rex Burkhead would also likely be an upgrade over Alfred Morris. He is better in pass protection and is also a better receiver out of the backfield as well. It’s debatable whether or not he’s a better runner because there’s such a small sample size so far in his career. But, it wouldn’t completely surprise me if he comes in and makes Morris expendable.
Of course, that’s not the only way Burkhead can contribute. He was mostly a special teams player with the Bengals and would likely continue to contribute in that capacity with the Cowboys as well.
Rex Burkhead is the definition of “value” when it comes to what the Dallas Cowboys want in a backup running back.
You add him, Ezekiel Elliott, and a rookie RB at some point in the draft, and you have a pretty good versatile group of players that have restocked the cupboard in a short amount of time.
If the Cowboys stick to their bargain shopping approach to free agency, adding Rex Burkhead just makes too much sense not to happen.
Do you think Rex Burkhead would make a good backup for Ezekiel Elliott?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to share your thoughts and opinions on this topic.
Rex Burkhead is really good and will be in a rotation somewhere. Probably one of the top three most versatile free agent backs this year. Crazy high level athlete
Billie, I completely agree with you. I’m just hoping that is for the Dallas Cowboys.
Darren McFadden
Football running back
Darren McFadden is an American football running back for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Arkansas, and was picked fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in the 2008 NFL Draft.
Wikipedia
Born: August 27, 1987 (age 29 years), North Little Rock, AR
40 yard dash time: 4.33 seconds
Height: 6′ 2″
Current team: Dallas Cowboys (#20 / Running back)
I see no changes to the above, so can’t agree with the idea of bare in the unit. I might want Burkhead or a similar player to challenge Morris in camp, but only if inexpensive in FA.
Similar to the WR speculations, the Cowboys getting distracted from RDE, CB, OL and maybe TE, is something they can’t afford to do.
Russ, I’m not sure what you meant mentioning Darren McFadden in your previous comment. He is a free agent now, which leaves Elliott and Morris as the only two running backs on the roster to receive a carry in 2016. The position needs to be addressed with either a cost-effective free agent or draft pick, possibly both. But, I did mention that it probably isn’t a top priority because Elliott will rarely come off the field.
McFadden is a free agent and is probably a long shot to return.
You’re right it puts him at large, but all depends on his offers and also his career goals of course.
Jerry likes him and he’s a perfect fit to spell Elliott and bring firepower – so to me that makes him worth at least what would be spent on another RB in free agency.
For McFadden, if he gets a close and not insulting offer (like Jones gave Murray) – much better to stay. Less wear as a backup extends his career by years, plus a chance for Lombardi’s.
Anyway, I hope he’s retained.
I personally wouldn’t mind McFadden returning, but the Cowboys like their backups to play special teams. I don’t think that’s part of McFadden’s game anymore.