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The Dallas Cowboys learned their lesson. In 2019, the club gave face of the franchise and former top-5 draft selection Ezekiel Elliott the largest contract ever for a running back. Elliott was the workhorse, leading the league in rushing each of his three seasons (once in rushing yards per game, due to suspension) as the offense flowed through him.
During the early years of QB Dak Prescott, that was the identity of Jason Garrett's offense. But all of that work eventually took it's toll on Elliott, and soon after he was rewarded with his big deal, his stats began to decline. He was eventually let go and the Cowboys have refused to invest in the position since. Tony Pollard was allowed to walk, as was Rico Dowdle after a 1,000-yard 2024. Now Javonte Williams has turned in his 1,000-yard, 13-plus TD performance and he could price himself out.
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Could the Cowboys go back to the well and for the second-straight offseason sign a free agent running back from the Denver Broncos?
That's what Bleacher Report's Alex Kay suggests, listing Dallas as the top destination for RB JK Dobbins.
Injuries have been the unfortunate story of Dobbins' career and they unfortunately cropped up again in 2025. After catching on with the Denver Broncos on a one-year, $5.25 million contract this offseason, Dobbins emerged as the starter and fared well for the first 10 games of the season. . .
Dobbins will be well worth rolling the dice on for a cash-strapped club like the Dallas Cowboys. The team could be priced out of retaining Javonte Williams and will want to make up that lost production by coming to terms on a cheap, incentive-laden deal with Dobbins.
Ideal Landing Spot: Dallas Cowboys
Projected Contract: One year, $5 million
Dobbins has bounced around the league, playing for Baltimore from 2020 through 2023, the Chargers in 2024 and this year in Denver as Williams' replacement. He's been strong on a per-carry basis every stop along the way, and would be a part of a rotation with the Cowboys, though the other pieces are yet to be determined aside from fullback Hunter Luepke.
He's capable of making big plays, which should intrigue this team seeing how Malik Davis has fared in limited opportunities. Pro Football Focus did an extensive write-up of Dobbins last offseason, highlighting his diversity in roles over his first two stops, and also his storied injury history (ACL, MCL, LCL, Achilles) prior to this past season where he was still able to average 5 yards a carry.
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Should the Cowboys roll the dice on him, or pay the expected premium to bring back Williams?
This article originally appeared on Cowboys Wire: Cowboys projected as perfect FA spot for Broncos RB JK Dobbins
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