{"id":165714,"date":"2024-03-12T09:45:06","date_gmt":"2024-03-12T13:45:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/?p=165714"},"modified":"2024-03-12T06:19:25","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T10:19:25","slug":"dallas-cowboys-lose-tony-pollard-to-tennessee-whos-next-for-dallas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2024\/03\/12\/dallas-cowboys-lose-tony-pollard-to-tennessee-whos-next-for-dallas\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys Lose Tony Pollard to Tennessee: Who’s Next for Dallas?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Cowboys have lost RB Tony Pollard, who inked a three-year, $24 million deal with the Tennessee Titans on Monday. With backup RB Rico Dowdle also likely to hit free agency, here are some options Dallas should look at to replace Pollard.<\/span><\/p>\n

Dallas Cowboys Lose Tony Pollard to Tennessee Titans: Who’s up Next?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Derrick Henry<\/span><\/h3>\n

Well, Cowboys fans… it’s that time of the year again. The time when all fans clamor and yell for the top-of-the-line, most expensive free agent. While Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have yet to pull the trigger on Tony Pollard’s replacement, Henry could be the perfect shoo-in.<\/span><\/p>\n

A swap of Pollard and Henry would leave both sides not hating each other and give both backs a fresh start with a new team.<\/span><\/p>\n

Henry<\/span><\/a>\u00a0averaged 4.2 yards per carry, totaling 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023. Far from his most impressive performance, but those saying he’s washed up or done clearly weren’t paying attention.\u00a0<\/span>The king’s not dead.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

If the Dallas Cowboys want to make it out of free agency alive, they\u00a0<\/span>must\u00a0<\/span><\/em>replace Tony Pollard with a bigger and better back. This is the signing that makes the most sense and would provide some basis for Jerry Jones’ “<\/span>All in<\/span><\/a>” claims.<\/span><\/p>\n

A.J. Dillon<\/span><\/h3>\n

Oh wait, you thought it would be Aaron Jones? I’m sorry, but you might want to think again. Jones was never outplayed by Dillon, but he was\u00a0<\/span>out-reliable’d<\/span><\/a>\u00a0by him. Several times. The Cowboys need someone stout and dependable to take over Tony Pollard’s role. Dillon would step in as RB1 instantly and elevate\u00a0<\/span>Deuce Vaughn’s<\/span><\/a>\u00a0play.<\/span><\/p>\n

This is a free-agency singing that would put Dallas right back to where they were a few years ago: A forceful, fire-forged RB1 who can be used anywhere and a shifty, explosive RB2 who can stretch the field.\u00a0<\/span>See what I’m getting at?<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Dillion\u00a0<\/span><\/a>averaged 3.4 yards per carry, totaling 613 yards and two touchdowns in 2023. By far his least impressive year on a team where the run game is being forgotten.<\/span><\/p>\n

No, it’s not\u00a0<\/span>nearly<\/span><\/em>\u00a0as impressive nor does it come within lightyears of Derrick Henry’s resume. But he’s young, the Cowboys can get him for cheap and he’d instantly become RB1 in Dallas. A.J. Dillon should be on Dallas’ radar right now.<\/span><\/p>\n

High Pick: Braelon Allen, RB, Wisconsin<\/span><\/h3>\n

For argument’s sake, let’s pretend the Cowboys have a very high priority on replacing Tony Pollard.<\/span><\/p>\n

If Dallas essentially wants another better and younger version of him, they should draft\u00a0<\/span>RB Braelon Allen from Wisconsin.<\/span><\/a>\u00a0He measures at 6’1, 235 Lbs, and a 4.40 40-yard dash. He’s faster, taller, and heavier than\u00a0<\/span>Ezekiel Elliot<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

I’m not sure if it’s something they’re putting in the cheese up there, but take a look at some recent Wisconsin RB’s drafted in the last 10 years:<\/span><\/p>\n