Dallas Cowboys re-sign Darren McFadden; Lose Dunbar, Carr, Claiborne

The Dallas Cowboys added a critical piece back onto their roster on Thursday, while also losing three longtime veterans to free agency.

On Thursday, the Dallas Cowboys were once again heavily involved in some free agency transactions. Dallas added a critical piece back into the fold while also losing three longtime veteran players to other NFL teams.

The Cowboys re-signed veteran running back Darren McFadden to a one-year deal according to reports. McFadden, the fourth overall selection out of Arkansas in the 2008 NFL Draft, spent his first seven seasons with the Oakland Raiders.

In 2015, McFadden signed a two-year deal with his favorite childhood team, the Cowboys. Later that season he rushed for over 1,000 yards for only the second-time in his career.

Dallas then drafted Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott in last year’s draft and McFadden was expected to be his primary back-up. But an elbow injury limited the 29-year old running back to three games and a total of 87 rushing yards last season.

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Adding McFadden back onto the roster this offseason was critical for the Cowboys as Elliott’s primary back-up. Especially considering Zeke’s recent off-the-field issues.

Although the Cowboys signed one of their own free agent running backs, they lost one as well. Longtime back-up and scat back Lance Dunbar is heading to the Los Angeles Rams.

Undrafted out of North Texas, the speedy Dunbar played a total of five seasons in Dallas. Although he showed potential as a receiving threat and an explosive playmaker out of the backfield during his time with the Cowboys, injuries hampered his overall effectiveness.

On Thursday, the Cowboys also lost both of their starting cornerbacks from last season. After five years in Dallas, veteran corner Brandon Carr has agreed to a four-year deal to join the Baltimore Ravens.

Brandon Carr signing a 1-year deal with series of options to make it a 4-year, $24M deal w/ Ravens, per source. Likely a 2-year, $12M deal.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 16, 2017

Carr signed a massive five-year, $50.1 million contract with the Cowboys back in 2012. Despite never missing a single game during his time in Dallas, the 30-year old veteran’s play on the field never matched his large contract. In fact, Carr recorded just a single interception in his past three seasons combined.

But Carr wasn’t the only past mistake the Cowboys moved on from on Thursday as cornerback Morris Claiborne has apparently agreed to join the New York Jets this upcoming season. Dallas traded up in the 2012 NFL Draft to select the LSU ballhawk sixth overall.

But injuries and inconsistency plagued Claiborne’s career in Dallas. So much so that the Cowboys refused to pick up the fifth-year option on his rookie contract. Instead, the 27-year old defender agree to a one-year deal to stay in Dallas last season.

And Claiborne responded by having best season as a Cowboy, recording 26 total tackles, five pass defends and one interception in 2016. Unfortunately, he played in just seven games. Again, due to injury.

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The Dallas Cowboys are expected to address their heavy losses within their defensive secondary during the upcoming NFL Draft, which appears to have a very talented and deep cornerback class.

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