Tony Pollard and Dak Prescott. (Photo by Richard Rodriguez/Getty Images)
A massive blockbuster trade proposal idea has the Dallas Cowboys trading for a young star running back to replace Tony Pollard in the backfield.

Pollard left the Dallas Cowboys to sign a three-year deal with the Tennessee Titans worth $24 million. That leaves Rico Dowdle (385 career rushing yards) and sophomore Deuce Vaughn as the top two RBs on the Dallas depth chart.

The Cowboys could always wait until the draft to get a running back, but there should be a handful of quality RBs available on the trade market for the right price.

Alex Ballentine of Bleacher Report proposed a blockbuster trade idea that has Dallas acquiring star running back Javonte Williams from the Denver Broncos in exchange for their 2024 third-round pick (No. 87 overall):

“The trade market should be explored as well. Javonte Williams’ name hasn’t really come up through the rumor mill, but he’s a logical target.

For one, he only has one year left on his contract and has a reasonable $1.9 million salary. Injuries have impacted Williams early NFL career, but the talent is there for him to have a big season if he’s healthy.

Williams had 1,219 total yards while splitting the backfield in his rookie season back in 2021. However, he tore his ACL and LCL four games into his second season. He returned in 2023, but saw a sharp decline in his performance. Here, the Cowboys would have the opportunity to buy low on the running back and potentially reap the benefits of a breakout season two years removed from the injury.”

Injuries have unfortunately limited Williams to 37 game appearances over his first three seasons, but he has shown signs of stardom when healthy. Williams rushed for 903 yards and four touchdowns as a rookie in 2021, and for 774 yards and three TDs last season.

For his career, Williams has 1,881 rushing yards, seven rushing scores, and 106 receptions for 620 yards and five receiving touchdowns.

RB Is A Pressing Need For The Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have a long and successful history of finding gem running backs. Former Cowboys RBs DeMarco Murray (2014) and Ezekiel Elliott (2016 and 2018) won three rushing titles over a five-year span, and Pollard himself just logged a second straight 1,000-yard season.

So it’s imperative for Jerry Jones to ensure that the Dallas Cowboys enter 2024 with a capable backfield. Remember, they neglected the RB position after Murray signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015, and Dallas paid a price for it.

Williams is just one of several potential trade targets who make sense for Dallas. With only one year remaining on his rookie deal, the Cowboys might not even have to give up much from Denver to land the star RB.