Cowboys rumors: Dallas can't be cheap and let rival outbid them for veteran RB

Day three of NFL free agency has arrived and the Dallas Cowboys still haven't signed a player from outside the organization. Don't let that fool you, either. The Cowboys have only re-signed one of their own free agents, and it was long-snapper Trent Sieg, which should have been done long before the legal tampering period.

These are indeed dark times for Cowboys fans, who don't necessarily want the team to spend frivolously. But bypassing numerous opportunities to bolster the roster feels like franchise malpractice for a team that hasn't made it to the NFC Championship Game in 27 years.

Incredibly, the Cowboys are finally showing signs of life. Early Wednesday, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported Dallas is in the mix for running back A.J. Dillon, who actually made our list of best remaining free agent backs entering day three.

The only problem? The spend-happy Giants are in on Dillon.

Cowboys can't let the Giants outbid them for free agent RB A.J. Dillon

As Rapoport noted, Dillon is also intrigued by the Colts, who have a backup running back void to fill after Zack Moss signed a two-year deal, $8 million with the Bengals. Ironically, Moss is the only other free agent whom the Cowboys have been linked with thus far. Somewhat embarrassingly, Moss' $4 million salary reportedly extended beyond Dallas' comfort zone.

While the Cowboys went cheap on Moss, they can't do the same with Dillon. The former Packers bruiser isn't great, but he's an upgrade over what they have on the roster. Tony Pollard struggly mightily in short-yardage situations last season. Fans will remember his disastrous run against the Dolphins when he had a free path to the end zone and managed to get arm tackled short of the goal line.

Dillon -- and admittedly most other RBs -- would've scored that in their sleep. At 247 pounds, "Quadzilla" would bring a bully mindset to Dallas' offense. While Dillon isn't an ideal starter or three-down back, he would be an ideal RB2 or 1B to whomever the Cowboys draft next month.

The Giants have already made several moves in free agency. They signed Devin Singletary to replace Saquon Barkley, have reworked their offensive line and made a blockbuster trade for Panthers pass rusher Brian Burns. The Cowboys allowing their "little brother" rival to beat them to the punch with Dillon would be a terrible oversight by Jerry and Stephen Jones.

Given how free agency has started in Dallas, we're not getting our hopes up.

Full coverage of Cowboys free agency