The Dallas Cowboys have been tied to trading for Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris, according to multiple rumors. Whispers regarding Harris' unlikely future with the Steelers began floating around after the team declined his fifth-year player option. Harris is now entering a contract year, but the Cowboys should not have any interest in trading for him.
The Cowboys have approached the running back position like a non-premium priority all offseason long. They did not attempt to retain Tony Pollard in free agency, who signed a three-year lucrative contract with the Tennessee Titans. Pollard had rushed for back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in Dallas.
Many expected the Cowboys to pursue an upgrade via free agency. Executive vice president Stephen Jones blamed the salary cap for their lack of interest in Derrick Henry. The Cowboys were apparently in the mix for Zack Moss, but they allegedly disagreed with his asking price. Moss ended up signing a reasonable two-year contract worth $8 million with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Let's do some quick math. The Cowboys were uncomfortable with a $4 million annual asking price for Moss, who rushed for more yards per carry than Harris did throughout the 2024 campaign, and was arguably a better passing-game outlet. And now Dallas is supposed to acquire Harris via trade, who is scheduled to carry a $4.1 million cap charge versus Moss' $2.9 million cap hit, according to Spotrac? And Dallas would be parting with draft capital to facilitate Harris' arrival, something that wasn't necessary had they previously signed Moss.
I'm not buying it.
The Cowboys continued to cast running backs aside throughout the next portion of the offseason. Many expected Dallas to shortlist a ball carrier with the 56th selection in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Texas running back Jonathon Brooks was a potential target, but the Carolina Panthers traded up to 46th overall to draft Brooks. The Cowboys drafted defensive end Marshawn Kneeland instead and didn't end up drafting a running back at all, passing on opportunities to take Trey Benson and MarShawn Lloyd.
Part of the reason the Cowboys showed a lack of urgency in drafting a running back is that they were deeply entangled in discussions to reunite with Ezekiel Elliott. On April 30th, just three days following the draft's conclusion, Elliott and the Cowboys officially agreed to a one-year contract. Elliott now projects as the primary ball-carrier in Dallas.
Ideally, the Cowboys would have paired the aging Elliott with a rookie running back, but that didn't come to fruition. I wouldn't be stunned if Elliott found success behind a revamped offensive line that now includes Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe as starters, but a succession plan would have been helpful. Trading for Harris isn't the solution though.
No, the Cowboys will instead hold an open competition featuring a gauntlet of running backs with the winner earning 50-50 duties alongside Elliott. The list includes Rico Dowdle, who was re-signed this summer, Royce Freeman, another veteran offseason addition, and last year's sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn. Missouri running back Nathaniel Peat was also signed in undrafted free agency. Perhaps they’ll continue to monitor the waiver wire as veteran cuts are made during training camp, too.
The Cowboys' offseason movements indicate running back is a non-premium position in their offense. They've bypassed several opportunities to add potential difference makers, both via free agency and the draft. I don't believe that trading for the disappointing Harris will entice the Cowboys.
