The Dallas Cowboys might be a great place for a running back who has won two championships.
In a trade proposal created by FanSided’s Christopher Kline, the Cowboys would get Pittsburgh Steelers running back Najee Harris and a 2025 sixth-round pick in return for a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The idea of the trade is straightforward — the Cowboys currently do not have a starting running back on their roster. After letting former starter Tony Pollard go in free agency, Dallas needs to fill a big hole. Acquiring Harris, who has been a starter for three years and has a Pro Bowl appearance, would solve that problem.
“Dallas could use some established talent,” says Kline. “Dowdle has been okay in a support role, but he is not really a first-choice RB. Deuce Vaughn is popular among fans, but giving him a lot of playing time could create problems.”
Reasons Najee Harris Could Fit Well with the Cowboys
Harris has played in all 51 possible games during his three-year career, making him one of the most durable backs in the NFL. Additionally, Harris is second among all running backs in carries since joining the league in 2021. On top of that, Harris was a two-time national champion at the University of Alabama.
Though his performance hasn’t been outstanding — he averaged less than 4.0 yards per carry in his first two seasons — he has proven that he can stay healthy and handle a heavy workload. Moreover, he has shown that he can lead a rushing attack and be effective in a rotation. Backup Jaylen Warren averaged 5.3 yards per carry as a complementary back.
While the Cowboys do not currently have a starting back, they have several players — Rico Dowdle, Malik Davis, or Deuce Vaughn — who can play a supporting role.
As Kline points out, Harris can handle a “heavy workload.” He would essentially take over the role previously held by Ezekiel Elliott.
“Harris is a strong, physical runner who can handle a heavy workload,” says Kline. “He is definitely better than Zeke, whose yards per carry dropped to 3.5 last season. At 26 years old, Harris has rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his three NFL seasons. He ran for 1,035 yards and eight touchdowns last season, and also caught 170 yards as a receiver.”
Najee Harris is Still on Rookie Contract, Could Be Short-Term Rental
Additionally, Harris would not be a costly option. The former first-round draft pick is owed $4.2 million for the upcoming season — the 15th-highest figure among players in his position in the NFL.
“It shouldn’t take much to convince Pittsburgh to let go of Najee Harris,” states Kline. “The former first-round pick is entering the last year of his contract, which is worth $4.2 million, with a club option for $6.8 million in 2025. The Cowboys might not choose to take up the club option, so giving up a fourth-round pick could be a bit expensive.”
Considering the Cowboys’ caution with signing high-cost running backs, this would be a financially sensible move for Dallas. They would trade a future Day 3 pick for a starting running back who is still on his rookie contract.
Also, it is not clear if the Steelers are willing to trade Harris. According to Ray Fittipaldo of Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, he anticipates Pittsburgh to exercise Harris’ fifth-year option.
Because the Cowboys are not willing to spend a lot on running backs — this year’s free agency group had many good runners — this is a major reason why Dallas needs a starting running back for the draft.
Getting Harris from the Steelers would clearly solve that issue.
