The Cowboys don’t have much of a running backs room coming into the 2024 season opening, and adding a possibly spent veteran like Dalvin Cook won’t help much.
Will the Cowboys benefit from another raid on the Jets’ depth chart, especially since Cook was let go before the playoffs last season?
The analytical site The 33rd Team suggests that the Jets might deal for a promising young running back and a late 2025 selection pick. According to Ian Valentino, the Cowboys may acquire 2023 fifth-round pick Israel Abanikanda from the Jets in exchange for a sixth-round pick.
According to Valentino, the Cowboys have the weakest running-backs unit in the NFL, but trading for Israel Abanikanda would improve the run game.
Israel Abanikanda Broke Tony Dorsett’s Pitt Record
In six games as a rookie last year, Abanikanda averaged 3.2 yards per carry with 22 attempts and 70 yards. He was a star at Pittsburgh, where he ran for 1,431 yards in 11 games as a junior, scoring 20 touchdowns and adding another as a receiver.
It’s his big-play ability in college that would be of interest to the Cowboys. Abanikanda surely possesses that. In October 2022, he surpassed Pitt’s single-game rushing yardage record with 320 yards, surpassing the 303 yards recorded by former Cowboys great Tony Dorsett in 1975.
This August, Abanikanda led all running backs in preseason grading at Pro Football Focus, justifying his trade. “Abanikanda might be the team’s 2022 Tony Pollard.
Abanikanda has consistently made huge plays since his time at Pitt, and this preseason has showcased his ability to dash into the open field. He averaged 6.1 yards per rush and gained 129 yards on 21 carries, including two touchdowns.”
Cowboys Committee Remains a Mystery
The Cowboys are now undecided about their running back position, with Ezekiel Elliott seems destined to start. Cook is in the wings but still on the practice squad because he only signed with the organization last week.
Rico Dowdle showed promise last year, but is untested. The Cowboys admire Deuce Vaughn’s big-play ability, but he played little as a rookie and lacks the size (5-foot-5) to contribute consistently.
If you’re not sure how the Cowboys’ “committee” of running backs will function this season, don’t worry: Mike McCarthy doesn’t appear to know either. According to McCarty, as a play caller, it’s important to play wide open on first, second, and third downs for a smooth flow.
“I define committee as a lengthy year. You want to be able to distribute throughout that position because of the toll it takes on the running back. We don’t want to be in personnel groups every time this or that player runs in (which tips play).
“After three or four weeks, you develop big tendencies. We want to be able to use all of those guys to maintain the normal flow. Sean Deveney is an experienced sports reporter for Heavy.com, covering the NBA, NFL, and MLB.
He has been writing for Heavy since 2019 and has over two decades of experience covering the NBA, including 17 years as the lead NBA reporter for the Sporting News. Deveney is the author of seven nonfiction works, including “Fun City,” “Before Wrigley became Wrigley,” and “Facing Michael Jordan.”
