The Dallas Cowboys are dealing with a difficult question after Sunday’s game: Was their run defense or rushing offense more to blame for the loss? Alvin Kamara’s 125 rushing yards and three touchdowns exposed the defense’s issues, but the Cowboys’ rushing game has also become a pressing concern after two subpar performances.
Rico Dowdle, who started over Ezekiel Elliott, continued to show more promise in the backfield. Surprisingly, Elliott was relegated to third in the running back rotation. Deuce Vaughn even got a carry before Elliott took the field, entering with just 2:43 left in the first quarter.
Excluding Dak Prescott’s two scrambles for 12 yards, the Cowboys logged 19 rushing attempts for only 56 yards, a mere 2.94 yards per carry. The team’s longest run this season remains CeeDee Lamb’s 12-yard jet sweep against the Browns—a glaring statistic that reflects poorly on Jerry Jones for believing this backfield could carry the offense.
Dallas had several opportunities to sign cost-effective running backs during the offseason. One such option, a player supported by many fans (including Dez Bryant), now leads the NFL in rushing just two games into the season.
Fans Lobbied Cowboys to Sign NFL Rushing Leader J.K. Dobbins
J.K. Dobbins has become one of the biggest bargains of the offseason. In Week 1, he rushed for 135 yards on just 10 carries, helping the Chargers secure a win. He followed up that performance with 131 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries in their road victory on Sunday.
Dobbins, a former Ohio State standout, currently leads the NFL with 266 rushing yards on just 27 carries. For comparison, Jordan Mason of the 49ers is in second place with 247 yards on 48 carries. Dobbins’ 9.9 yards per carry are the highest among running backs, and he’s near the top in explosive runs, yards after contact, and first downs.
As a football fan, it’s encouraging to see Dobbins fully healthy again. But as a Cowboys fan, it’s frustrating to think Dallas let the Houston native sign elsewhere, specifically with the Chargers.
Dobbins likely felt comfortable reuniting with his former offensive coordinator from the Ravens, Greg Roman, under whom he thrived before injuries disrupted his career. He had also visited the Chiefs but ultimately signed with the Chargers on a modest $1.61 million deal, with only $50,000 guaranteed.
In contrast, the Cowboys handed Elliott a one-year deal worth up to $3 million, with $1.625 million guaranteed.
Through two games, Elliott has logged 16 carries for 56 yards and a single touchdown. Among 39 running backs with at least 16 carries, Elliott ranks 38th in rushing grade according to Pro Football Focus (PFF). He’s also 32nd in yards after contact per carry and hasn’t forced a missed tackle yet.
Signing Dobbins would have carried some risk due to his injury history, but he would have fit Dallas’ budget and, more importantly, brought the explosive playmaker they now desperately lack. Once again, the Cowboys may have been better off listening to their fan base.
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