If there was no trade deadline, the Dallas Cowboys could be a perfect landing site for a three-time Pro Bowl running back.
According to Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, a “hypothetical” move for the Cowboys would be trading for Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. Kenyon believes that Henry as a “change-of-pace” option for the Cowboys with Tony Pollard, paired with the Titans’ dreadful 4-7 record, would make a potential deal beneficial to both clubs.
“Can you imagine Derrick Henry as a change-of-pace option? That’s a real Madden-level roster situation. While the 4-7 Tennessee Titans drift toward missing the playoffs, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is also approaching free agency,” writes Kenyon. “His contract voids following the season, and the Titans probably should move in a new direction.”
Why the Cowboys Could Use Derrick Henry
The idea makes sense considering the Titans’ rebuilding direction, Henry’s expiring contract and the Cowboys’ lack of dominance in the run game with Tony Pollard as the starting running back.
While Pollard has been solid in his first season as a starting running back following the departure of Ezekiel Elliott, he hasn’t been spectacular. After the Cowboys ranked ninth in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns last season, Dallas ranks 12th in rushing yards and 11th in rushing touchdowns this season.
Pollard is averaging 4.1 yards per carry and 4.4 yards per touch with 180 carries on 737 rushing yards this season. Those numbers are solid, but they’re a major decline from the 5.2 yards per carry and 5.9 yards per touch he averaged last season as a complementary back.
The idea of adding Henry — who could help improve Dallas’ ranking of 17th in red zone efficiency — would likely go a long way towards improving the efficiency of the Cowboys’ rushing game, as Kenyon notes.
“Henry remains effective, however, and the Dallas Cowboys could use a half-season jolt. Henry’s greatest value is his strength,” writes Kenyon. “Tony Pollard is a quality back, but he isn’t the short-yardage and red-zone powerhouse that Henry has always been. Throw in Henry’s strong pass-blocking value, and Dallas would add another element to its diverse, productive offense.”
How Cowboys Can Acquire Derrick Henry in Offseason
While the possibility of the Cowboys adding Henry this season is long gone, maybe Dallas could revisit the idea in the offseason when he becomes a free agent.
If the Cowboys choose to bring back Pollard — which is a possibility considering he hasn’t had an overly impressive season — they could choose to sign a veteran back such as Henry to help take the load off of Pollard.
The question is, what is Henry’s market value as a free agent?
Spotrac still projects the 29-year-old back to hold a market value of $9.5 million per season across two years at a total of $19.2 million. That would make Henry the ninth-highest paid running back in the league.
Considering the Cowboys are currently paying Pollard a little over $10 million this season on the franchise tag, there’s no way Dallas would pay nearly $20 million combined on a devalued position such as running back next season.
If Henry is willing to accept a smaller deal in an effort to chase a Super Bowl, the possibility of the two-time rushing yards leader signing with the Cowboys become a viable scenario.
DJ Siddiqi covers the NFL for Heavy.com, with a focus on the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He has covered the NFL and NBA for Forbes, ClutchPoints, CBS Sports, 24/7 Sports and Bleacher Report before joining Heavy. More about DJ Siddiqi
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