Ranking the best remaining RBs for Cowboys as Derrick Henry dream crashes and burns

2. J.K. Dobbins

It wasn't long ago that Dobbins was regarded as one of the best young backs in the game. Unfortunately, the former Ohio State star has run into a brutal run of injuries. Dobbins suffered a torn ACL in his second year in 2021 and missed nine games in 2022 due to a knee injury before tearing his Achilles in Week 1 this season.

Dobbins has played nine games in three seasons since his breakout rookie year. When healthy, Dobbins has been a treat to watch. He's averaged 5.8 yards per carry in his career and is a three-down back as he can beat a defense with both power and explosiveness.

Dobbins has the most potential of the remaining running backs and is already running five and a half months removed from Achilles surgery. However, his history of lower leg injuries will serve as a red flag -- if not a non-starter -- for most teams.

1. D'Onta Foreman

Dobbins would be No. 1 if not for the injuries, but Foreman has picked up steam as a potential Cowboys target after the team missed out on Henry and Zack Moss. A Texas City native who starred in college for the Longhorns, bringing Foreman back home makes a ton of sense.

Like the aforementioned A.J. Dillon, multiple defenders are needed to bring Foreman down, but Foreman is the better all-around rusher. Many Bears writers presumed Foreman would be fazed out by younger backs Khalil Herbert and Roschon Johnson, but the vet finished second on the team with 425 rushing yards and tied for first with four rushing scores.

Foreman shouldn't be leaned on as a workhorse back, but he's also one season removed from compiling 914 rushing yards and five TDs as Carolina's lead back. As a third-tier free agent, it might take time for Foreman to sign, but he could also come off the board quickly at the rate the running back market has moved so far.

The Cowboys better not be caught sleeping.

Full coverage of Cowboys free agency