The Dallas Cowboys still need help at running back, so there are rumors about potential options. Pro Football Network’s Dallas Robinson believes Arizona Cardinals two-time Pro Bowler James Conner may be available for trade.
The Cardinals just picked a new running back from Florida State, which could mean Conner might be traded. Dallas signed Trey Benson Ezekiel Elliott but that shouldn't stop them from making another move. The trade idea has the Cowboys getting Conner in exchange for a 2025 sixth-round pick. “Dallas didn't pick a running back in the draft, and opted to stick with veteran Ezekiel Elliott on a one-year deal,” Robinson wrote in a May 6 story titled “2024 NFL Trade Ideas: James Conner to Cowboys, Michael Mayer to Colts, and More Post-Draft Moves. “Elliott can't handle a full-time workload anymore, and the rest of the Cowboys’ RB options — Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Royce Freman, and others — aren't exciting.
“Conner is a three-down back who could become Dallas’ main option, and the Cardinals might be willing to trade him after picking Florida State RB Trey Benson in the third round,” Robinson continued. “While Conner often misses games due to injuries, Elliott, Dowdle, and others could fill in if needed. Arizona already paid Conner’s March roster bonus, so he’d cost the Cowboys roughly $4.5 million in 2024.”
Arizona Cardinals Running Back James Conner Is Coming Off One of His Best Statistical Seasons
Conner is coming off one of the best statistical seasons of his career. The veteran had 208 carries for 1,040 rushing yards and 7 touchdowns in 13 games in 2023.
Conner averaged a career-high 5 yards per carry. The running back added 27 receptions for 165 yards and 2 TDs through the air.
This was a loaded running back class in free agency, but Dallas chose not to sign veterans like Saquon Barkley, Derrick Henry and Austin Ekeler. This is related to finances as the Cowboys prepare to sign stars like CeeDee Lamb, Micah Parsons and Dak Prescott to contract extensions.
Conner is heading into the final season of a three-year,
$21 million contract . The running back is set to have a $4.2 million salary this season.Cowboys Rumors: Dallas Dropped a Hint on Potential Trade in the Coming Months
Owner Jerry Jones hinted that the team could still find another running back via trade. This was before the Cowboys officially signed Elliott.
“I’ve seen teams win the Super Bowl with running backs that they traded for midseason,” Jones said during an
April 27 press conference after the draft. “So, the point is that this thing’s a long way from being over as to how you’re going to line up against X next fall.” One player the Cowboys considered signing before Elliott is former Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook. Ultimately, Dallas chose to reunite with Elliott over Cook.
“In October, the Cowboys played a video montage for Ezekiel Elliott’s return to AT&T Stadium when Patriots visited,”
The Dallas Morning News’ Michael Gehlken stated in an April 29 communication on X. “It wasn’t finished for them. It’s still ongoing. Dalvin Cook also received a lot of attention internally.” A suggestion for a trade in the NFL involves the Dallas Cowboys seeking to acquire two-time Pro Bowl running back James Conner from the Arizona Cardinals.
