The Dallas Cowboys have introduced fresh talent to their running back roster, yet rumors tie them to a former Pro Bowler. Even with Ezekiel Elliott’s return, their running back lineup isn’t considered elite in the NFL. This is where Miles Sanders could make an impact.
Sanders, currently with the Carolina Panthers, endured a forgettable 2023 season after a promising start in Charlotte. With the addition of Texas RB Jonathan Brooks to the Panthers’ roster, there’s speculation by Jess Haynie from Blogging the Boys that Sanders could be a viable option for Dallas.
While Elliott has been re-signed, his role is envisioned as more supportive, leaving room for a potential standout. Haynie notes concerns over Rico Dowdle’s limited experience and Royce Freeman’s inconsistent performance, suggesting the need for stronger competition within the group. Thus, Sanders emerges as a potentially attractive addition to Dallas.
While acquiring Sanders or any other running back isn’t imperative, Dallas should prioritize enhancing their roster. If Sanders finds himself marginalized in Carolina, Dallas could capitalize on a potential “buy low” opportunity following his underwhelming 2023 season.
Sanders, known to most Cowboys fans from his tenure with the Philadelphia Eagles, was a significant contributor to the team’s offense alongside Jalen Hurts. Despite a setback in 2022, he bounced back impressively, earning his first Pro Bowl nod with 1269 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns.
After his successful stint with the Eagles, Sanders landed a lucrative four-year, $25.4 million contract with the Panthers. However, his transition to Carolina hasn’t yielded the desired results, partly due to a shoulder injury and competition from Chuba Hubbard, limiting his impact to just five starts and 586 scrimmage yards in the 2023 season.
Financially, Sanders’ contract is manageable for Dallas, with a salary and bonuses totaling $6.22 million for 2024. Despite Dallas having limited cap space, they could make room through roster adjustments. While Sanders’ acquisition would come with its risks, the potential benefits of securing a motivated lead running back could outweigh them, especially if Carolina is open to offloading him given their recent acquisitions and Sanders’ underperformance last season.
