A source close to the Cowboys says Derrick Henry is working out in Dallas.
Right now, Derrick Henry is exercising in Dallas. Undoubtedly, though, he does this every year during his NFL offseason. This does not in any way link the two-time NFL running champion to the Dallas Cowboys.
But ought it to? Again, let there be no doubt about it: over the past few years, people outside The Star have spread reports that the Cowboys are looking to contract, trade for, or otherwise go after King Henry. Furthermore, it is untrue. And now, a team source informs us that the Cowboys still feel the same way about it. Four numbered points..
1. Honor for Henry? Indeed.
2. Still relevant at 30 years old? He was, in fact, as he led the league in carries while only managing 1,167 yards of total offense behind a subpar offensive line in Tennessee, where he started every game. And he finished strong, too, as he ran for 153 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries in the Titans’ season-ending victory. His 8.1-yard carrying average earned him the NFL “ground game” honor for that week.
3. Fulfilling needs? Indeed. Tony Pollard’s yearly pay of $10 million is going to expire. In addition to Malik Davis, Snoop Conner, Deuce Vaughn, and Hunter Luepke, the Cowboys have the option to re-sign restricted free agent Rico Dowdle if they feel he would be a valuable addition. But a genuine return of quality and power? Indeed, needs.
4-Affordable? Spotrac estimates that he will make $4.3 million in 2024, so a one-year, last-gasp attempt would be alluring. However…
The cost of Ezekiel Elliott was high. Tony Pollard cost a lot of money. During that time, the Cowboys attempted to defy an NFL trend, but ultimately, in 2023, they were defeated.
Dallas’s 113.5 rushing yards per game was a worse return than 2022’s 131.7. The team finished 15th overall. Compared to the previous season, the Cowboys lost by an average of slightly more than 20 yards per game when Pollard was the primary back. During his debut season as the starting back, Pollard experienced a “relatively” poor year. Throughout the season, he averaged 59.1 yards per game on 252 runs, finishing with 1,005 rushing yards and six touchdowns.
Pollard posted higher totals last season—1,007 yards, nine rushing touchdowns, yards per game (62.9), and yards per carry (5.2)—than he did this year. The truly surprising fact is that Pollard had 59 more carries in 2022 than he did in 2022. Additionally, he had only one 100-yard running performance of the season (against the Cardinals in Week 3) and had never finished a game with more than 79 yards. In the first nine games, Pollard had only two touchdowns on the ground. He thereby produced less while being more involved. Dallas will never again pay $10 million for it.
All indications suggest that the Cowboys intend to select a savvy draft pick to “beat the cap” and select a possible starter at the position. When Pollard is selected in the fourth round, will that player be better than him? Will that man perform well enough for the Cowboys to make their decision to forgo paying Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, or any other “name” running back seem justified?
The Cowboys are probably placing their bets on the NFL Draft here, despite Barkley’s positive remarks about “America’s Team” and Henry’s workout routine in Dallas.