Zack Moss
Let’s kick off the list with a lower-end but still solid option. Zack Moss spent the first two and a half seasons of his career with the Buffalo Billsbefore being traded in 2022 to the Indianapolis Colts. After an injury to Colts’ star running back Jonathon Taylor, Moss became the featured back. In 2023, Moss had career highs in rushing attempts (183), rushing yards (794), and rushing touchdowns (five). Moss had a pair of breakout games in weeks two and four.
In week two, Moss carried the ball 30 times for 122 yards and added a receiving touchdown in a 22-19 overtime win vs. the Ravens. Two weeks later, Moss rushed for 165 yards off 23 attempts and added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Helping lead the Colts to a 23-16 win over the Tennessee Titans. Even when Taylor returned from injury, Moss still had a significant role in the offense as he managed four games of 10 or more carries.
Moss proved he can be a starter through his first four games of the season. With Taylor sidelined, Moss missed week one, but in weeks two through five, the fifth-year back rushed for 445 yards (5.0 avg) and one rushing touchdown. That’s 111.3 rushing yards per game. However, it doesn’t stop there. Moss also proved to be an efficient pass blocker. Per Pro Football Focus, Moss had 50 pass-blocking snaps and registered a respectable 62.0 grade.
Pass blocking doesn’t appear on highlights or the stat sheet for running backs. Yet, it’s just as valuable a skill for a back to possess. The price shouldn’t be a concern. According to Spotrac, Moss has a market value of $4.6m. The Cowboys should consider Moss, who, at 26, is looking for an opportunity to continue to show he can be an RB1.
AJ Dillon
From one back who deserves a starting gig to potentially another. AJ Dillon is another name set to hit the open market and will be looking for the opportunity to lead a backfield in 2024. Selected by the Packers 62nd overall in the 2020 NFL Draft, Dillon has served as a solid complimentary back to Aaron Jones.
The powerful and athletic 247-pound back is coming off a 2023 campaign in which he rushed for 613 yards and two scores. However, from a career perspective, as a number two back, Dillon has rushed for 2,428 yards and 16 career rushing touchdowns over the first four seasons of his career.
In addition, Dillon has shown he can be reliable at times as a receiver, totaling 86 receptions, 763 yards, and two touchdowns. As for Dillon’s skill set, the former Boston College star known as “Quadzilla” is a power runner who could help the Cowboys’ offense in short-yardage situations. Similar to Moss, Dillion can also assist in pass protection. Should the Cowboys limit their spending on a running back, Dillon might be another reasonable option. Per Spotrac, Dillon has a market value of just $3.5 million.
