Rico Dowdle, RB
Dowdle is re-signing with Dallas for one season.
What it means: It doesn’t mean the Cowboys have an RB1 with Dowdle’s return, but he at least had 89 carries as Tony Pollard’s backup last season. He had two games with 12 carries. He finished the year with two rushing touchdowns and two receiving touchdowns, while catching 17 passes. Dowdle has had difficulty staying healthy, but he played in 16 games last season. He might not be a true No. 2 ball-carrier, but he can do the job if needed, while also having the ability to help on all four special teams’ units.
What’s the risk: Like the other additions, there’s no real financial risk, and the decision to retain him does not take the Cowboys out of the market for another veteran in free agency or an early draft pick in April. Pollard’s departure for the Tennessee Titans has the Cowboys needing more of a sure thing in the backfield, but they are likely going to use a number of backs to get the job done in a different way than they have done in recent years with Pollard and Ezekiel Elliott.
