With training camp just days away let's say hypothetically no running back wins the starting spot outright, what will the Cowboys look to do? The answer will most likely be found in a trade or free agency.
(Trade) Players
Brandon Carr (Cornerback): Carr has a gigantic contract and a first round pick breathing down his neck, if he is not more willing to be flexible and take a smaller contract he could be moved for the right price.
Ronald Leary (Left Guard): Leary is probably the most unlikely of anyone on this list to be moved because all teams can always use a good offensive lineman; but that is precisely why he is on the list. Leary is one of the top ranked rushing blockers in the NFL so the Cowboys could potentially gain a lot by trading the left guard for a position of need.
Gavin Escobar (Tight End): Escobar has yet to carve out his role with the Cowboys however his size and prowess in the end zone are impressive. Escobar would likely be packaged with another player or pick to score a deal.
Morris Claiborne (Cornerback): Claiborne is another player who was overvalued by the Cowboys. The Cowboys moved up in the 2012 draft to get him at number 6 overall. Claiborne was the second highest player on Cowboy's draft boards besides Andrew Luck. The Cowboys gave up a 2nd and a 4th round pick for Claiborne so he could be argued as the biggest bust on the Cowboy's roster. For nostalgia sake let's see who else was on that 2012 board up to the Cowboys old spot at 14; Luke Kuechly, Stephon Gilmore, and Dontari Poe...ouch.
Danny McCray (Strong Safety): McCray has shown to be a great depth player but is hardly capable of being a high level playmaker the likes of Earl Thomas or even Rashad Jones. McCray could fetch a nice price as he is in a position of need for most teams and when paired with a draft pick could be hard to pass up.
Draft Picks: The future of every franchise, the Cowboys have vehemently stated that they will not slight the future for the present. But they have also said they want to win now and give Romo everything necessary for his ticket to the big game. The Cowboys would most likely pair a player and a pick in a trade and every pick past the third round could be in play. But let's be honest if you're a team with Super Bowl aspirations then those late picks may leave your pocket a little faster.
(Target) Players
Tre Mason (St Louis Rams): Mason has had only one year on the Rams and already has to deal with his replacement Todd Gurley breathing down his neck. The Rams see Gurley as the better player when he is healthy so letting Mason go could be somewhat of an afterthought. The problem is the Rams line is terrible so regardless of what back you have running the rock they are still going to take a massive amount of punishment. Mason would be a step up over Ryan Williams at the very least.
Giovanni Bernard (Cincinnati Bengals): Giovanni Bernard had an injury prone 2014 but is one of the best backs in the league hands down. Bernard was replaced by the sophomore Jeremy Hill last season however he was used frequently because the Bengals do not want Andy Dalton throwing to anyone but AJ Green. With Marvin Jones and Green healthy Bernard could become somewhat complacent on the Bengal's roster, for the right price the Bengals would let him go.
Lorenzo Taliaferro (Baltimore Ravens): Taliaferro would be one of the cheaper options but he showed some spark last season. Taliaferro would vulture touchdowns from fantasy owners and break big runs, so with him being the third back in the rotation it is likely he will not get the production he deserves. This could lead to him being traded for a couple of low round picks.
Bryce Brown/Fred Jackson (Buffalo Bills): The Bills have an interesting situation brewing. They like all the running backs on the roster but with the addition of McCoy how economical it is to keep all of them is debatable. Brown and Jackson will fetch the best results from a trade and the Cowboys could use their speed and quickness of the line. Jackson is old but has not endured feature back levels of punishment and Brown might be somewhat untested but both of their skills would be fully utilized in the Cowboy's offense.
Matt Forte (Chicago Bears): Matt Forte at 29 seems like an unlikely target, the Cowboys just do not want a 30 year old rusher behind the line however Forte could add to this backfield for a season. A late-round pick and maybe a role player could sway the Bears into giving away the rusher before they need to resign him allowing Jeremy Langford to be the feature back.
Knile Davis (Kansas City Chiefs): Davis is fast and is a great backup for Jamaal Charles in KC however for the right price the Chiefs will let him go. He could be a feature back in the Cowboy's offense however he has never handled such a role besides when spelling Charles. This trade could certainly be doable for some mid-level picks and/or a solid player.
Jerick McKinnon (Minnesota Vikings): With the return of the golden boy Adrian Peterson, McKinnon finds himself on the outside looking in as he is currently third on the depth chart. McKinnon was effective as a Peterson replacement but got his carries split with Matt Asiata. McKinnon could help the Cowboy's offense way more than he can help the Vikings.
Khiry Robinson (New Orleans Saints): Robinson is another player made the odd man out by a free agent this offseason as CJ Spiller will be the Saints passing down running back. Robinson did turn some heads last season as his tough, speedy run style makes him an impact player for the right offensive line.
Branden Oliver (San Diego Chargers): Oliver had an impressive 2014 but with the addition of Melvin Gordon the Chargers could be looking to move Oliver. The Cowboys could use his bruising style reminiscent of DeMarco Murray a little more effectively than the Chargers could at this point.
