The Dallas Cowboys need to improve their running game drastically in 2025.
Dallas ranked No. 27 in the NFL in rushing yards this past season, and a big part of that was personnel. While eventual starter Rico Dowdle ended up with more than 1,000 yards on the season, he only scored a pair of rushing touchdowns.
The Cowboys should be aggressive on the free agent market as they look for an upgrade on Dowdle, and one name stands out: Najee Harris of the Pittsburgh Steelers.
The former No. 24 overall pick has been a model of consistency in his career thus far, never having registered a sub-1,000-yard season.
On Tuesday, The Wright Way Network’s Monty Lobb listed the Cowboys as a top-two landing spot for Harris along with the Las Vegas Raiders.
“Harris is as durable and physical as they come, playing in all 17 games in every season of his career so far,” Lobb wrote.
“This is extremely rare to see at the running back position. Especially for a guy who has such a downhill, physical running style. Harris absorbs punishment as well as anyone in the game. At age 26, he’s looking for his one and only big contract. The running back market is a tough one. He won’t get another big deal by the time he hits 30 and running backs certainly aren’t paid like other premier positions.”
“Saquon Barkley, who most would say had the best running back season this year, is paid less than Gabe Davis. Now is the time for Harris to cash in. He’ll likely get a three-year deal, taking him through his age-29 season. Harris would still work best as the lead back in a platoon system. Many good teams should be looking to add him.”
“The Dallas Cowboys running game was abysmal in 2024. It ranked 27th in yards per game at just over 100. The idea to bring back Ezekiel Elliott made no sense. Then, they elevated Rico Dowdle to the lead-back role as the season went along. Dowdle ended up having an okay season, over 1,000 yards, but only two touchdowns. I just don’t think Dowdle is a lead-back on a serious team and I don’t think Jerry Jones does either. Two touchdowns is just not enough from your number-one guy.”
“We know how much Jerry Jones values running the football, so I don’t think he’ll make this mistake again. I could see Jerry throwing a bag at Najee Harris to persuade him to come to Dallas. The Cowboys offensive line got better as the season went along. If they continue to grow in 2025, that could mean big things for Najee Harris. I love a backfield in Dallas with Harris as the main man and Dowdle as a third-down back.”
Harris to command an average annual salary of $9.2 million, which would look like a $27-plus million deal over three years.
That number might scare away the Cowboys, who could instead opt to sign someone for cheaper while also drafting a young running back to develop.
If Dallas is serious about winning now, though, paying Harris might be the move.
