Stop us if you've heard this before, but the Dallas Cowboys have not put the pedal to the metal in the first wave of free agency. To add insult to injury, they have lost multiple key players on the defensive side of things, including Jourdan Lewis and Chauncey Golston.
The Cowboys got the ball rolling ever so slightly on Tuesday, agreeing to terms with veteran defensive lineman Solomon Thomas, who projects as Osa Odighizuwa's backup at the three-tech position, and extending special teams star KaVontae Turpin to the tune of $18 million over three years.
Their most notable move thus far, though, is the signing of running back Javonte Williams, a former Broncos second-round pick who was highly touted coming out of North Carolina.
Williams signed a one-year deal up to $3.5 million, which all but confirms Dallas will draft a running back in April. It also leaves room for a potential Rico Dowdle reunion given how much cap room they have lying around.
Unfortunately, though, Dowdle seems to be a goner.
It sounds like Rico Dowdle has played his last snap for the Cowboys
Jane Slater of NFL Network is hearing that Dowdle won't be back. Slater "fully expects" the Cowboys to add to their backfield in the draft, but called Dowdle's likely departure "unfortunate" given the spark he provided to the offense, particularly in the second half of the season.
David Moore of the Dallas Morning News has heard similar whispers. The team regards Williams as a "comparable talent to Dowdle and more cost effective."
Even though Williams cost pennies on the dollar, Dallas has completely flipped how they value running backs after the Ezekiel Elliott extension blew up in their face. It is highly doubtful they want to pay two veteran backs and Dowdle could command as much as $6-8 million per year on the open market.
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Dowdle deserves to cash in after he broke out this season to the tune of 1,079 rushing yards and a 53.6% rushing success rate that ranked sixth among starting running backs.
The incoming draft class being historically deep only increases the odds that Dowdle leaves. The Cowboys are well positioned to take a RB at pick No. 44 or No. 73 in the third round.
While the front office got Williams at a great price, it is fair to ponder if they should have acquiesced to Dowdle's market. Williams may have more pedigree as far as draft status and career rushing yards and touchdowns, Dowdle is the superior player.
Just like Lewis and Golston, Dowdle's eventual departure will sting.