With Tony Pollard planning to test the open market this offseason, the Dallas Cowboys suddenly need to fill the running back position, and it’s suggested they look into the AFC West for a potential replacement.

Kristopher Knox from Bleacher Report pitched the idea of the Dallas Cowboys acquiring Josh Jacobs since the Las Vegas Raiders aren’t interested in keeping him via the franchise tag for the second consecutive summer.

Las Vegas Raiders Josh Jacobs Dallas Cowboys
Josh Jacobs is in action for the Las Vegas Raiders
Credit: Ethan Miller/Getty Images
“Jacobs, who held out for much of the 2023 offseason before agreeing to a reworked one-year, $12 million deal, will have little reason to not at least test the market. If he does, the question will become whether Las Vegas is willing to outbid other teams for his services,” wrote Knox.

“A team like the Dallas Cowboys could be interested in making Jacobs an offer that the Raiders won’t match,” he added.

How will Josh Jacobs fit in with the Dallas Cowboys?
After recording 2,053 yards (1,653 rushing, 400 receiving) and 12 touchdowns in 2022, Jacobs’ numbers went down in 2023, as he only managed to tally 1,101 (805 rushing, 296 receiving) and six touchdowns. He only played 13 games due to a quad injury.

Because the Las Vegas Raiders plan on using multiple running backs and not being so reliant on one player, it doesn’t make sense for them to spend big on retaining Jacobs this summer. That makes the two-time Pro Bowler one of the top two RB options in free agency, according to NFL insider Dianna Russini.

NFL Las Vegas Raiders, Josh Jacobs Dallas Cowboys
Josh Jacobs is going to hit free agency this summer
Credit: Getty Images
“The way we’re going to play, and the way a lot of teams play, is you need more than one back,” said Las Vegas Raiders GM Tom Telesco last month. “I don’t really see a lead-back type thing. You’ve got to have more than one. You need to have two; you need to have three. They all have different roles with the team. The way this game is played, it’s hard to put that all on one person.”

The Dallas Cowboys haven’t had a dual-threat running back since Ezekiel Elliott during his prime years, and Josh Jacobs can play the part. At the same time, the Alabama product is only 26 years old, which is not yet “old” by NFL running back standards.

Dallas Cowboys, Jerry Jones
Dec 30, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones applauds during the Ring of Honor induction ceremony at half time in the game against the Detroit Lions at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
But for Dallas to get Jacobs, they may have to do some financial maneuvering since they’re roughly $4 million over the cap.