The Dallas Cowboys’ decision to release all-time franchise great Ezekiel Elliott earlier this offseason was all about finances and production.
Elliott was set to count a whopping $16.72 million against the cap in 2023 after putting up a career-worst performance the previous season. Dallas saved a cool $10.9 million by releasing the multi-time Pro Bowler.
With franchise-tagged running back Tony Pollard set to handle primary ball-carrier duties moving forward, Dallas figured it could go cheap to find a replacement for Elliott. That’s exactly what the team did on Tuesday by signing former Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Kansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones to a one-year contract.
A second-round pick of the Buccaneers back in 2018, Jones will vie with Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis for touches behind Pollard moving forward.
This also likely eliminates the possibility that the Dallas Cowboys look running back at any point during the 2023 NFL Draft. The team yielded three mid-to-late round selections to acquire veterans Brandin Cooks and Stephon Gilmore earlier this offseason.
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Dallas Cowboys could have a diamond in Ronald Jones
Jones spent last season in Kansas City, playing in only six games. He attempted 17 rush attempts for 70 yards in part-time action. That came after a down final season with the Buccaneers. However, the former USC standout had performed pretty darn well with Tampa Bay prior to his final campaign back in 2021.
- Ronald Jones stats (2019-20): 2,176 total yards, 5.1 yards per touch, 14 TD
After seeing Pollard put up a Pro Bowl performance this past season, Dallas figured it made sense to place the franchise tag on him and move off Ezekiel Elliott. The ‘Boys are going to be relying a lot on Pollard as a three-down back in 2023.
With that said, acquiring more depth with someone like Jones could pay off for Mike McCarthy and Co. moving forward.