NFL Free Agency

The Dallas Cowboys and free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott are reportedly considering a reunion this offseason.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, Elliott and the Cowboys have "mutual interest" in each other, although a deal hasn't yet been reached.

Elliott, 28, spent his first seven NFL seasons in Dallas before signing a one-year deal and playing for the New England Patriots last season.

Initially selected by Dallas with the No. 4 overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft out of Ohio State, Elliott established himself as one of the best running backs in franchise history.

Zeke was a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro during his time with the Cowboys, and in 103 regular-season games with the team, he racked up 8,262 rushing yards and 68 rushing touchdowns, which both rank third on the all-time franchise list.

Over his first six seasons, Elliott never finished with fewer than 979 rushing yards, but in 2022, he struggled to the tune of 876 yards and a 3.8 yards-per-carry average, both of which were career lows, although he did rush for 12 touchdowns.

Elliott was essentially supplanted by Tony Pollard, who rushed for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns, while averaging 5.2 yards per tote.

Dallas released Elliott after the 2022 season, and he signed a one-year deal with the Pats to form a one-two punch with Rhamondre Stevenson.

Stevenson missed five games due to injury, which contributed to Elliott leading the Patriots in rushing yards with 642. Still, that was a career low for Elliott, as were his three rushing touchdowns and 3.5 yards per carry.

Elliott was highly effective in the passing game, though, leading New England with 51 receptions and finishing with 313 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Pollard was somewhat disappointing in 2023, which was his first season as the unquestioned No. 1 running back for Dallas. He rushed for 1,005 yards, but scored only six rushing touchdowns and saw his yards-per-carry average dip significantly to 4.0.

Despite his down season, Pollard cashed in by signing a three-year, $21 million contract with the Tennessee Titans in free agency.

That leaves the Cowboys with a gaping hole in their backfield, as Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis and Snoop Conner are the only running backs on the roster.

Dowdle played well when given the opportunity last season, rushing for a career-high 361 yards and two touchdowns, but he has yet to prove he can be a No. 1 running back in the NFL.

Vaughn had just 80 yards from scrimmage last season as a rookie, while neither Davis nor Conner recorded stats.

The Cowboys seem likely to take a running back in the 2024 NFL draft, and perhaps do so early, but Elliott would give them the veteran presence they currently lack.

Free-agent running back J.K. Dobbins is scheduled to visit with the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday, according to his agency LAA Sports, per ESPN's Adam Schefter.

Dobbins, 25, missed all but one game last season with the Baltimore Ravens after suffering a torn Achilles in Week 1.

That came on the heels of Dobbins missing the entire 2021 season with a torn ACL and nine games during the 2022 campaign due to a different knee injury.

While injuries have ravaged Dobbins' NFL career thus far, he has been an explosive and productive player when healthy.

His healthiest season was as a rookie in 2020 when he appeared in 15 games and set career highs with 805 rushing yards, nine rushing touchdowns and 6.0 yards per carry.

Dobbins followed that up with 520 yards and two touchdowns on 92 carries in 2022 after missing the entire 2021 season.

Prior to getting injured in the 2023 season opener, Dobbins had 22 yards and a touchdown on eight carries, plus two receptions for 15 yards.

The Ohio State product has a link to the Chargers, as his best seasons in 2020 and 2022 came when Greg Roman was the Ravens' offensive coordinator. Now, Roman is the OC in L.A. under head coach Jim Harbaugh.

Dobbins averaged about 5.9 yards per carry in two seasons with Roman as his offensive coordinator, which suggests Roman could potentially get the most out of him again with the Chargers if he can stay healthy.

The Chargers already raided the Ravens' running back room this offseason by signing longtime Ravens running back Gus Edwards to a two-year, $6.5 million contract.

Dobbins would give Roman another running back who he is familiar with and the Chargers a much-needed complementary back, as none of the other running backs on their roster have enjoyed much success at the NFL level in the wake of Austin Ekeler leaving for the Washington Commanders in free agency,

Health is always going to be the biggest question mark when it comes to Dobbins, but there are positive reports surrounding him currently.

NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported this week that Dobbins has been cleared for football activities and that Dr. Neal ElAttrache wrote a letter to some NFL teams, telling them that Dobbins looks "outstanding."

Although the risk of injury is high for Dobbins, it would likely still be a low-risk signing for the Chargers in terms of how much money they would have to commit.

With Dobbins coming off so many injuries, it is doubtful he will command a high salary, which means the Chargers could potentially get a ton of production out of him at a low price if they sign him.