Cowboys could fix major team need by targeting NFC foe's player in 2024 NFL free agency
With Tony Pollard headed to free agency, chances are the Dallas Cowboys will have to rebuild the running back room from the ground up, especially as they're not likely to use the franchise tag on Pollard again. That might mean investing in the position in the 2024 NFL Draft but the Cowboys will need to […]
With Tony Pollard headed to free agency, chances are the Dallas Cowboys will have to rebuild the running back room from the ground up, especially as they're not likely to use the franchise tag on Pollard again.
That might mean investing in the position in the 2024 NFL Draft but the Cowboys will need to get to April with a plan in case they can't get somebody they like.
Well, A to Z Sports' Wendell Ferreira, who covers the Green Bay Packers, believe the Cowboys would be the perfect fit for a pending free agent of the team that just sent Dallas packing in the playoffs.
Per Ferreira, who listed the best fits for several Packers hitting free agency in a recent post, A.J. Dillon could be "exactly" what the Cowboys are missing. Below is his breakdown:
The Cowboys suffered without a power back since Ezekiel Elliott left to sign with the New England Patriots. Tony Pollard is an efficient runner, but he didn't show what it takes to be a full-time running back. Moreover, Pollard himself is also a free agent. Dillon is exactly what the Cowboys need: a powerful runner, even though not explosive, and he isn't expected to make a lot of money in free agency.
With Aaron Jones making a lot of money in Green Bay, chances are Dillon is allowed to walk. He's a hard-bruising back type who could provide some physicality that the Cowboys are lacking.
Dillon missed the chance to play the Cowboys in the Wild Card round due to an injury but there's a chance he can play for Dallas after years of playing for America's Team boogeyman. The best thing about it is Dillon could be depth for the Cowboys while they seek an upgrade.
A.J. Dillon contract projection
As Ferreira suggests, Dillon would be a cheap addition for the Cowboys if they were to be interested. Per A to Z Sports' own Top 105 free agent contract projections he could be looking at a low-risk, one-year deal:
When AJ Dillon broke out in 2021, Green Bay appeared to have as menacing of a two-headed rushing attack as the Browns’ duo of Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt. Dillon and Aaron Jones had excellent years in 2021 and 2022, but the wheels came off the bus for the big bruiser Dillon last season. In limited usage in his rookie year, AJ averaged 5.3 yards per carry, and leveled out his average to 4.3 and 4.2 yards per carry in 2021 and 2022 when he received over 175 carries each season. That average dropped to 3.4 in 2023, and his yards after first contact average dropped from 3.18 in 2021 to 2.69 in 2023.
Dillon is a respectable talent, but the grim reality of the nonexistent market for Tier 2 or 3 running backs basically wipes his immediate earning potential. AJ is young enough to not risk getting suckered into a low-number, two-year deal before turning 26; recognizing his limited market in 2024 and accepting a slight discount to play for the right organization could give Dillion a chance to shine once again and set himself up for a more lucrative offseason in 2025.
Franchise Tag Likelihood: Low
Projected Contract: 1 Year, $3M, $3M APY, $2M GTD
Year One Cap Hit: $1.8M
New Cowboys DC Mike Zimmer makes it sound like he wants to bring back All-Pro
Won’t be easy, though.
