Dallas Cowboys Rumors: DeMarco Murray Could Return, But Cowboys Ready To Draft Running Back As Plan B
The Dallas Cowboys are rumored to be the frontrunners for free agent DeMarco Murray, with reports that a softer than expected free agent market will keep the Pro Bowl running back in Dallas.
Murray hit free agency on Tuesday and has been courted by a number of teams, including the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars. But reports are starting to point to a return to Dallas for Murray.
With @MikeGarafolo on this one. Cowboys still leaders in DeMarco Murray race. OAK/JAX more realistic than PHI at this point.
— P. Schrager (@PSchrags) March 10, 2015
For weeks leading up to the start of free agency, insiders have speculated that a soft free agent market might lead Murray back to the Cowboys. MMQB writer Andrew Brandt, a former Packers vice president and player agent, said back in February that DeMarco Murray may have actually driven his own market down after a season packed with such high production and a large number of touches.
“DeMarco Murray, after shopping his services to a lukewarm marketplace, returns to the Cowboys for a team-friendly contract. As I have often noted, Murray’s strong production may have actually hurt his contract value, with teams more focused on future rather than past performance. Indeed, free-agent running backs with fewer carries may actually procure better contracts. As for the Cowboys, they have clearly prioritized Dez Bryant ahead of Murray all along.”
If the Cowboys can’t find a way to bring DeMarco Murray back, they likely won’t look to free agency for a replacement. Sources close to the team say the Cowboys don’t plan on making any big backfield moves if he should leave, looking to draft a replacement rather than entering the free agent waters for options like C.J. Spiller or Darren McFadden.
“That doesn’t mean the Cowboys are short-changing their backfield,” ESPN notes.
“At the NFL scouting combine, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones said the running back draft class is as strong as it has ever been,” wrote Todd Archer, ESPN’s Dallas Cowboys correspondent. “The Cowboys met with the top runners available in Indianapolis, including Todd Gurley and Melvin Gordon.”
Whether DeMarco Murray chooses the Dallas Cowboys or another suitor, the decision will wait a little longer. On the first night of free agency, he was attending the Dallas Mavericks game, putting off his decision at least a few hours.
[Image via NBC Dallas]
