Despite Javonte Williams’ arrival, the rumor mill is spinning. From a Tony Pollard reunion to an Alvin Kamara blockbuster, Dallas could still add veteran firepower to its backfield.
FRISCO - One is an old friend of the Dallas Cowboys.
Another is an old friend of a new Cowboys coach.
And a third is an old All-Pro endlessly connected to Dallas.
The Dallas Cowboys running back room is led by Javonte Williams, who returns to The Star via a deal that they believe represents a steal at three years and $24 million.
The coaching staff has intimated to me that there remains a belief that 2025 fifth-round pick Jaydon Blue from the University of Texas could this year supplement Javonte to for what one source called a "Thunder and Lightning'' combo.
Journeyman Malik Davis remains in play and another 2025 rookie, Phil Mafah, might also get a shot.
But even with all of that, there is still a feeling - outside The Star, anyway - that the backfield could use a jolt.
That concept has the offseason rumor mill all cranked up, with three names floating to the top.
The former Cowboys Pro Bowler Tony Pollard.
Failed Cardinals backup Trey Benson.
All-time Saints great Alvin Kamara.
Allow me to deal with this threesome, one-by-one ...
POLLARD This one comes from ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, and it's more "stunning'' than "sensible.''
There’s ... a chance that somebody like Tony Pollard gets cut in the months to come,'' Barnwell writes.
Cool. But why?
Pollard produced a Pro Bowl campaign in 2022 and he has continued being a fine running back during his two seasons with the Titans. He's posted four straight seasons topping 1,000 yards and last year Pollard notched 242 carries for 1,082 rushing yards and five touchdowns in 17 starts while adding 33 catches for 206 receiving yards as well.
He just turned 29. He's got just one season remaining on a three-year, $21.7 million with the Titans as he carries a cap hit of $9.25 million.
Tennessee would save $5 million by dumping him, at which point his new team can offer him way less than that $9.25 mil, so there is that.
But he's clearly the Titans' No. 1 back.
Until they reach a point when they're not competitive in 2025, there seems no reason for the Titans to give away Pollard.
BENSON Benson was a third-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. ... one of the many "running backs who got away'' from Dallas that weekend.
Since then, this offseason has seen Arizona sign Tyler Allgeier, re-sign James Conner, and draft Jeremiyah Love.
That makes the injury-burdened Benson their fourth-stringer.
In his career, Benson has rushed for only 451 yards and one touchdown in 17 career games - with just two starts.
It is true that at 6-0 and 220 pounds and with 4.39 speed, Benson - still just 23 - retains potential.
And there is this: Cowboys coordinator Klayton Adams was previously on the Arizona staff that drafted Benson.
But ...
It's been suggested that Adams might push to get Benson here. Sure. Maybe. Or ... he might know the player well enough to not push at all.
Can I get Benson for nothing more than a future late-round pick? After all, his pedigree is superior to Blue's and if he turns into something, I've got a jackpot.
So, yeah, this is worth consideration ... at least once Arizona works through its who's who in its rebuilt room.
KAMARA For some reason, Kamara has been attached to Dallas in trade rumors for years ... but the buzz never comes from an actual Cowboys source.
And here we go again.
ESPN’s Mike Clay recently floated Kamara as one of the veteran running backs who could benefit from a new team, linking the faded New Orleans star to several possible landing spots. The Cowboys were included.
Because ... of course.
The problems here are many.
Kamara, about to turn 31, isn’t the same player he was at his absolute peak.
Across 126 career games, he’s produced more than 7,000 rushing yards, more than 4,900 receiving yards and 86 total touchdowns.
But ...
Last year? He was healthy enough to play just 11 games. That marks the fourth time in the past five seasons that Kamara had missed significant playing time. ... and he finished the year with just 471 yards and one TD.
The financial side? Kamara is playing on a two-year, $24.5 million deal with major guarantees attached, and his 2026 cap hit sits at $10 million.
That's an outrageous number for a backup running back.
And that's what he is now, even in New Orleans, which signed Travis Etienne to take over the No. 1 role.
Factor in the rumors of him considering retirement and his steadfast commitment to vowing to quit if he's ever traded out of New Orleans and this idea is a non-starter.
Dallas believes Williams can carry the three-down load while also harboring hope regarding Blue. If the Cowboys end up being wrong here? There will be time to make corrections.
But made-up dreams (Pollard), fourth-stringers (Benson) and $10 million backups (Kamara)? That's not part of a logical plan in Dallas. It's just part of the rumor mill in May.
