The Dallas Cowboys continue to take slings and arrows from the media for how they managed the running back position in the offseason.
Not signing Derrick Henry looks like a grievous mistake. Henry leads the league in rushing, rushing touchdowns and yards per carry. He could reach the elusive 2,000-yard threshold for the second time in his career if he continues on his current trajectory.
Jerry Jones claims the Cowboys couldn't afford Henry, but we all know that's malarkey - even franchise legend Troy Aikman. The front office instead chose to sign Ezekiel Elliott, who continues to take carries away from Rico Dowdle, who is eighth among RBs this season in rushing success rate.
All of this is a byproduct of letting Tony Pollard walk in free agency. While Dallas reportedly made Pollard an offer, he took more money to return home to Tennessee. Nobody made a fuss in March about losing Pollard, but he has been a bright light in an otherwise dark season for the Titans.
One Pollard stat in particular will make Cowboys fans lose their mind.
Former Cowboys running back Tony Pollard is thriving with the Titans
Entering Week 9, Pollard had the most rushing yards gained after contact, per Pro Football Focus (subscription required). Pollard has since slipped to fourth in that department behind Derrick Henry, Josh Jacobs and Chuba Hubbard, but he had just nine carries last week due to negative game script.
Tony Pollard leads NFL running backs in yards gained after contact - just in case anyone is interested.
— Ed Werder (@WerderEdNFL) November 3, 2024
The Titans' offense has been a disaster and yet Pollard has flourished.
While Pollard ranks fourth in total yards after contact, he's first among running backs with at least 100 carries in yards after contact per attempt (3.77), per PFF. Despite being mired in arguably the worst passing attack in the NFL, Pollard is averaging 4.4 yards per carry and is tied for seventh with 19 explosive runs, which are runs of 10 yards or more.
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There's a strong argument to be made that letting Pollard leave was the sound decision. The Cowboys have a quality back on the roster in Dowdle. By not signing Pollard, they are set up to pair Dowdle with an impact rookie next year.
That is much more appealing - and cheaper - than having Dowdle and Pollard, who makes $7.25 million per year and carries a $8.5 million cap hit in 2025. With Dowdle and a rookie, Dallas can allocate their resources to other positions. Let's face it: this roster needs A LOT of help.
Nobody is saying that Dallas should have signed Pollard. However it's poetic justice for Jerry Jones that Pollard is thriving in Tennessee while the Cowboys continue to feed Ezekiel Elliott - the player whom Pollard leapfrogged on the depth chart back in 2022.
Between Elliott's $6.04 million dead cap charge and $1.25 million cap hit, he is technically more expensive than Pollard, who has a $4 million cap it this season.
Just more proof this front office is among the worst in the NFL.