Cowboys’ Trade Offer Includes Acquisition of Two-Time Champion Running Back

The Dallas Cowboys could present an attractive destination for a two-time championship-winning running back.

In a hypothetical trade outlined by Christopher Kline of FanSided, the Cowboys would secure Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris along with a sixth-round pick in the 2025 draft in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the same year.

The rationale behind the trade proposal is straightforward — the Cowboys currently lack a clear starting running back on their roster. With former starter Tony Pollard departing in free agency, Dallas faces a significant void in their lineup. Bringing in Harris, a three-year starter with a Pro Bowl appearance under his belt, would effectively address this gap.

Kline notes, “For Dallas, acquiring any form of established talent would be advantageous.” While Rico Dowdle has served capably in a change-of-pace role, he may not be suited for the RB1 position. Deuce Vaughn, though popular among fans, might struggle if tasked with extended playing time.

Why Najee Harris Could Suit the Cowboys Well:

Harris has started every one of the 51 possible games in his three-year career, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s most durable backs. Additionally, he ranks second among all running backs in carries since entering the league in 2021. Furthermore, Harris boasts a collegiate background as a two-time national champion at the University of Alabama.

While his yards-per-carry average hasn’t been exceptional — hovering below 4.0 in his first two seasons — Harris has demonstrated durability and a capacity to handle a significant workload. He has also shown effectiveness both as a lead rusher and in a committee system, with backup Jaylen Warren averaging 5.3 yards per carry in a complementary role.

Although the Cowboys lack a current starting back, they possess several players — including Dowdle, Malik Davis, and Vaughn — capable of fulfilling complementary roles.

As Kline highlights, Harris is capable of managing a “heavy workload,” potentially filling the role previously occupied by Ezekiel Elliott.

Financial Considerations:

Moreover, Harris wouldn’t impose a significant financial burden. As a former first-round draft pick, he is owed $4.2 million for the upcoming season, ranking 15th among players at his position.

Considering the Cowboys’ cautious approach to investing heavily in running backs, acquiring Harris would be financially prudent. Giving up a future Day 3 draft pick in exchange for a starting running back still on his rookie contract would be an astute move for Dallas.

However, it remains uncertain whether the Steelers are willing to part with Harris. According to Ray Fittipaldo of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, there’s an expectation that Pittsburgh will exercise Harris’ fifth-year option.

The Cowboys’ reluctance to splurge on running backs, despite this year’s deep free agency pool, underscores their current search for a starting running back heading into the draft.

Bringing in Harris from the Steelers would effectively resolve this issue for Dallas.