![\"Dallas](\"https:\/\/athlonsports.com\/.image\/t_share\/MjExNzUxMjc0NjEyMjcxMDgw\/rico-dowdle.webp\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys’ offense faces some interesting changes this offseason. A shuffle on the coaching staff saw Brian Schottenheimer supplant Mike McCarthy as head coach and playcaller in hopes of bringing a revival on both sides.<\/p>\n
Schottenheimer brings a shift in philosophy from his predecessor with an emphasis on physicality.<\/p>\n
His new assistant coaches have echoed those same sentiments. This determination to create a more physical Cowboys offense will likely rely on a rushing offense that will need significant improvement. Change exists in this area as well, namely with Zack Martin’s retirement creating a hole on the offensive line.<\/p>\n
Additionally, Dallas will need a running back to execute these changes on the field. That circumstance itself remains one of the biggest questions of the Cowboys’ offseason.<\/p>\n
For weeks, analysts and mock drafts have keyed on the Cowboys picking up prized prospect Ashton Jeanty with the No. 12 overall pick or selecting their next starter with a pick used on day two or three of the NFL Draft.<\/p>\n
All this excitement and chatter discounts a potential solution that is already a known commodity in the NFL. Despite a lackluster season overall for Dallas’ offense, Rico Dowdle found a way to shine in the backfield once he got the opportunity to get the necessary and meaningful reps.<\/p>\n
However, Dowdle is set to be a free agent and will command attention from other teams that have a need at the position, have cap space to spend, or both. In fact, CBS Sports has him ranked No. 1 among this year’s class of free-agent running backs.<\/p>\n
“Given his age and lower career volume, Dowdle has the potential to provide the most prime years of any running back on the open market this year. He’s a violent, downhill runner whose vision and pass-catching ability continue to improve with more reps.”<\/em><\/p>\n His low career usage combined with some impressive tape from this season make him an attractive target. So why would the Cowboys let him walk? In a perfect world, bringing back Dowdle on a team-friendly deal and pairing him with a back coming out of college would immediately solve any backfield concerns for the Cowboys.<\/p>\n Cowboys Coach Ready For Jake Ferguson Bounce-Back Season Dowdle may want a true No. 1 role regardless of the money and if the Cowboys are not providing such a situation that may spell the end of his tenure in Dallas.<\/p>\n The situation itself is still pretty murky and by no means is a Dowdle return out of the question.<\/p>\n But as the excitement of change stirs in the offseason, it is important to remember the Cowboys may already have a quality piece on their side ready to step in again.<\/p>\n Bringing him back will be up to them, but free agency’s “No. 1 running back” will be in high demand.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys’ offense faces some interesting changes this offseason. A shuffle on the coaching staff saw Brian Schottenheimer supplant Mike McCarthy as head coach… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":36433,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36432","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nfl"],"yoast_head":"\n