Dallas Cowboys Face Running Back Dilemma Heading into the Offseason

No Clear Featured Back for 2025
As the Dallas Cowboys enter the offseason, they find themselves without a clear No. 1 running back. Rico Dowdle led the team with 1,079 rushing yards last season, but with free agency looming, his future in Dallas is uncertain. While the Cowboys would love to retain him, Dowdle is one of the most sought-after backs on the market, and his price tag could push him out of reach.

Finding a Reliable Complement or Replacement
Even if Dallas manages to bring Dowdle back, they still need another top-tier back to strengthen their ground game. Whether it’s a complementary runner to split carries or a new bell-cow back, the Cowboys must address this need in the 2025 offseason. A dynamic backfield presence would relieve pressure on quarterback Dak Prescott and star receiver CeeDee Lamb, creating a more balanced offensive attack.

Kaleb Johnson: A Dream Target in the Draft
One name emerging as a potential solution is Kaleb Johnson, the powerful Iowa Hawkeyes running back. Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine has labeled Johnson as the “dream target” for Dallas in Round 2 of the NFL Draft. At 225 pounds, Johnson has the size, speed, and versatility to thrive in any offensive scheme. Pairing him with a strong offensive lineman in the draft could elevate the Cowboys’ ground game to a new level.

“If the Cowboys come away from the draft with a starting-caliber offensive lineman and a running back who could take the ground game to the next level, they will have had a good draft,” Ballentine stated. “The offense has to have something outside of Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb to scare opposing defenses.”

A Perfect Fit Under New Offensive Coordinator Clayton Adams
Johnson’s skill set would mesh well with new Cowboys offensive coordinator Clayton Adams, who previously coached the offensive line for the Arizona Cardinals. Under Adams, Arizona’s rushing attack flourished, helping James Conner achieve back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons—something he never accomplished in his first six years in the league.

Intriguingly, Johnson has drawn comparisons to Conner due to his similar build and physical running style. Tyler Brooke of The 33rd Team noted that Johnson possesses the same blend of power and balance that made Conner successful in Arizona.

Dallas Looks to Rebuild a Power Running Attack
The Cowboys are making a conscious effort to become a more physical team, and adding a bruising running back like Johnson could be a crucial step in that direction. While player comparisons aren’t an exact science, Johnson’s aggressive rushing style makes him an ideal fit for a team looking to impose its will on opposing defenses.

With free agency and the draft approaching, Dallas has multiple paths to reinforce its backfield. Whether it’s bringing back Dowdle, signing a veteran, or drafting a future star, the Cowboys must make the right moves to ensure their rushing attack doesn’t take a step backward in 2025.