After a 7-10 finish, the Dallas Cowboys have a long list of players hitting the market in a few weeks. In this series, we’ll offer a breakdown of the Cowboys’ upcoming free agents and why they may or may not continue their playing careers in Dallas.

Our series continues with perhaps one of the only bright spots from last season’s offense.

Name/position: Rico Dowdle/Running back

Age/Experience: 26/4 seasons (Signed as UDFA by Dallas in 2020)

2024 contract: 1-year, $1.26 million contract signed prior to last season

Market value: 1 year/$6.2 million (per Spotrac)

Summary: With all the problems the Cowboys’ offense had to worry about in 2024 — injuries, ineptitude, the downfall of Ezekiel Elliott — Dowdle was one of the only positives. He started 15 games and logged his first career 1,000-yard season just in time to hit free agency.

Why he might stay: Dowdle’s homegrown. The Cowboys took a chance on him as an undrafted rookie free agent, and it paid off. Dowdle finally got his chance to be the Cowboys’ starting running back in 2024 — and he seized it.

Not to mention … the Cowboys don’t really have any other prospects at running back right now. The only true RB under contract for 2025 in Dallas is Deuce Vaughn and his 40 career carries. There could be a running back in the draft they trust to carry the load in his rookie season, a tall task, but otherwise Dowdle might be the best option. Possibly the only one.

Why he might go: Dowdle timed this pretty well.

He’s hitting free agency right after posting his career-best season, and there might be more money on the open market than the Cowboys are willing or able to give him.

Plus, even should Dowdle return, the RB duties are likely to be heavily split in 2025. Dowdle could find a team where he’s the true No. 1 back.

Find more Cowboys coverage from The Dallas Morning News here.