The Dallas Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Tony Pollard Monday, but what if he were to leave in 2024?
Theoretically, if Tony Pollard and Dallas are still in a contract standoff next offseason, the Cowboys could franchise tag the star running back again. However, the Cowboys certainly hope it never gets to that point.
Pollard will make over $10 million guaranteed this coming season, as Dallas placed the franchise tag on him in May. Per recent reports, it appears the team didn't make much of an effort to sign Pollard to a long-term extension after May, however. That sort of bad blood can linger, especially if the front office doesn't renew their effort this season.
While playing in Ezekiel Elliott's shadow for much of his career so far, Pollard has proven to be explosive when he gets the necessary touches. Now that Zeke is no longer in Dallas, it's fair to expect Pollard's numbers to increase, as well as his overall value.
The Cowboys would prefer to pay Pollard after he has a big season, rather than before. But what happens if they can't afford him? Thankfully, Dallas has plenty of options to choose from in 2024.
NFL Rumors: Cowboys could sign Jonathan Taylor
Jonathan Taylor is arguably the best running back in football when he's healthy, but like most of his peers at the position, hasn't received a long-term contract offer to his liking. If the Colts fail to pay him his worth, expect Taylor to sign on elsewhere.
Though Indianapolis is building for the future, signing Taylor should be in their long-term interest, as he provides a security blanket for rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson. This is the same value he'd bring to Dallas, allowing Dak Prescott to perform in a run-heavy, play-action setting rather than having to run the show on his own accord.
The only issue? Spotrac has Taylor's market value set at $13 million, which exceeds even what Dallas is paying Pollard on the franchise tag this season. Unless they can sign Taylor to a short-term deal, this match feels a little unlikely.
NFL Rumors: Cowboys could free Austin Ekeler
Austin Ekeler has been very vocal about the depreciating running back market, and rightly so — he's set to be a free agent in 2024. If recent trends are any indications, he'll have a tough time receiving his worth.
"From a player's aspect, we have no control," Ekeler said. "I have no control. So really who we want answers from is the ownership. Like, why are you doing this? What's the reason?…They (owners) ain't gonna say anything, either. Because, for whatever reason, they've got this thing going on where it's like a new trend, like, 'Oh, let's not pay these guys.' I don't know, maybe they're just testing us. Like, 'Hey, let's see what happens.' But, you know, you poke the bear and you're gonna make us have to do something."
Ekeler is a multifaceted running back who would change the outlook of the Cowboys offense. On paper, he's an even better fit than Pollard or Elliott, as he can help in the running and passing game. Ekeler is an All-Pro talent and deserves his money. His market value, though, could price him out of Los Angeles. If Dallas can find the cap room, he's the kind of back who could take their offense to the next level when healthy.
NFL Rumors: Cowboys could draft TreVeyon Henderson
It's unfortunate, but the current system is rigged against free-agent running backs. Given their usage rate, the average NFL running back tends to run into a wall by around their age-28 season. Considering most of the available backs in 2024 free agency are nearing that age, Dallas best option could be in the draft, if they see fit.
As of this writing TreVeyon Henderson out of Ohio State is the top-ranked running back in next year's draft class, per Pro Football Network. Here is their summary of Henderson's strengths as a runner:
"2021 is when Henderson exploded onto the scene with over 1,500 total yards from scrimmage and 19 total TDs. His on-field explosiveness is just as drastic as his statistical emergence. At 5'10", 214, Henderson's ability to offset and send defenders lurching with his lateral twitch while maintaining vertical speed is unique and deadly."
If Dallas cannot sign Pollard due to financial constraints, they'd save quite a bit of capital by drafting a player like Henderson in the late first of second round. Selecting a running back early in the draft can sometimes hinder the overall class, but by losing Pollard, Dallas would have a huge need at the position.
Henderson's freshman season was impressive enough to warrant national acclaim. If he can repeat that in 2023, expect NFL teams to value him highly in April 2024.
