‘Hypothetical’ deal sees Cowboys acquire super star

If there was no trade deadline, the Dallas Cowboys could be a perfect landing site for a three-time Pro Bowl running back.

According to Bleacher Report’s David Kenyon, a “hypothetical” move for the Cowboys would be trading for Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry. Kenyon believes that Henry as a “change-of-pace” option for the Cowboys with Tony Pollard, paired with the Titans’ dreadful 4-7 record, would make a potential deal beneficial to both clubs.

“Can you see Derrick Henry as a change of pace?” That’s a roster situation worthy of Madden. “As the 4-7 Tennessee Titans inch closer to missing the playoffs, the soon-to-be 30-year-old is also approaching free agency,” Kenyon writes. “Once the season ends, his contract becomes void, and it’s likely that the Titans should consider pursuing a different path or player.”

Why the Cowboys Could Use Derrick Henry

Considering the Titans’ direction toward rebuilding, Henry’s impending contract expiration, and the Cowboys’ limited dominance in the running game with Tony Pollard as the primary running back, the notion seems reasonable.

While Pollard has performed adequately in his debut season as a starting running back following Ezekiel Elliott’s departure, his performance hasn’t been exceptional. Despite Dallas ranking ninth in rushing yards and second in rushing touchdowns last season, they’ve dropped to 12th in rushing yards and 11th in rushing touchdowns this season.

Pollard has averaged 4.1 yards per carry and 4.4 yards per touch with 180 carries for 737 rushing yards this season. These statistics are respectable but mark a significant decrease from last season, where he averaged 5.2 yards per carry and 5.9 yards per touch as a secondary back.

Bringing in Henry could potentially elevate Dallas’ performance, especially in red zone efficiency where they currently rank 17th. This move could substantially enhance the Cowboys’ rushing game, as highlighted by Kenyon.

“While Henry remains effective, the Dallas Cowboys could greatly benefit from a mid-season boost. Henry’s greatest strength lies in his power,” notes Kenyon. “Tony Pollard is a competent back, but he lacks Henry’s dominance in short-yardage situations and the red zone. Factor in Henry’s strong pass-blocking skills, and Dallas would introduce another dimension to their diverse and productive offense.”

How Cowboys Can Acquire Derrick Henry in Offseason

Although the prospect of the Cowboys acquiring Henry this season is no longer feasible, there’s a chance they might reconsider the idea in the offseason when he becomes a free agent.

If the Cowboys opt to retain Pollard, a possibility despite his less-than-stellar season, they could explore signing a veteran like Henry to alleviate some of Pollard’s workload.

The key question revolves around Henry’s market value as a free agent. According to Spotrac, the 29-year-old running back is projected to command a market value of $9.5 million per season over two years, totaling $19.2 million. This estimate would position Henry as the ninth-highest paid running back in the league.

Presently, the Cowboys are paying Pollard slightly over $10 million this season on the franchise tag. It seems improbable that Dallas would allocate nearly $20 million in total on the running back position for the following season, given its decreased value in the league.

However, if Henry is open to accepting a more modest contract in pursuit of a Super Bowl, the possibility of the two-time rushing yards leader joining the Cowboys could become a realistic scenario.