Should the Dallas Cowboys target Jeremy Hill as an insurance policy?
By Carl Daley
The Dallas Cowboys could be looking to trade for some depth at the running back position. Here is why they should look at the Cincinnati Bengals’ Jeremy Hill.
The Dallas Cowboys have been the topic of conversation lately with Ezekiel Elliott in the hot seat for the moment, the team may want to look at upgrading their running back corps.
It has been a while since veterans like Darren McFadden or Alfred Morris were asked to carry the load offensively. The loss of Lance Dunbar this offseason really does change how the carries will be split up.
Rod Smith and Jahad Thomas should fight for some carries but realistically could either of them take on a full workload and even come close to replacing Elliott’s production in the event of an injury or suspension?
Probably not, but that does not mean they couldn’t contribute. All of the players behind Elliott can find yards on the field but struggle to score touchdowns. Adding current Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Jeremy Hill could benefit both teams.
Rookie back Joe Mixon is slated to be ahead of both Giovani Bernard and Hill on the depth chart at this point and could become the primary back for good if he is as good as advertised. This would mean either Hill or Bernard would become expendable.
Hill has been a great back in the red zone but has struggled to pick up yards especially in 2016. He could be the final piece that this committee would need to truly be a well rounded running back corps.
Hill also had a playoff gaffe that cost the Bengals a chance to move on and lose to a hated rival in the Pittsburgh Steelers. He probably would be a mid-level trade target as he has shown tremendous talent and production at the running back position.
He has also been inconsistent and gave up the ball a bit but realistically you could not find a better option to back up Elliott (this late in the offseason). Bernard could be in play here as well but he also is more of a chain mover than a touchdown magnet.
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Bernard has also battled several serious injuries recently but both players are still considered second tier running backs. If Mixon has a big training camp, the Bengals could look to deal Jeremy Hill. However, hopefully it does not come down to that.