The Dallas Cowboys have a lot of great pieces returning for their offense next season. But one area where they could improve is running back depth.
CBS Sports’ Bryan DeArdo argued this week the Cowboys should target former Pro Bowl running back Najee Harris to remedy that need.
“At 6-foot-1 and 242 pounds, Harris is a physical back who isn’t afraid of contact. While he doesn’t have elite speed, Harris has more than enough quickness to get to the outside,” DeArdo wrote on Thursday. “He’s also an exceptional pass protector and pass-catcher; he caught a career-high 74 passes from Ben Roethlisberger during his standout rookie season…
“Javonte Williams ran for 1,201 yards last year, but no other Cowboys player ran for over 250 yards. Jaydon Blue, a 2025 fifth-round pick, had only 38 carries while playing in just five games. ”
Harris only played in three games last season because of an Achilles injury. But over his first four years in the league, Harris never missed a contest. He also rushed for at least 1,000 yards every season from 2021-24.
Harris will be an unrestricted free agent in March. Last year, he signed a 1-year, $5.25 million deal with the Los Angeles Chargers.
Coming off the Achilles injury, pundits expect him to be cheaper this offseason.
How Najee Harris Could Fit With Cowboys
DeArdo wrote Harris’s agent posted a video of the running back on a treadmill just five months after undergoing Achilles surgery. Maybe that could help the running back’s free agency prospects.
But given that his market wasn’t exactly booming last year, and Harris had his most disappointing NFL campaign in 2025 because of the injury, he is likely to be very affordable this spring.
In addition to the Achilles injury, Harris dealt with a superficial eye injury which occurred from a fireworks accident in early July last year. The running back missed training camp because of the ailment.
Harris returned for Week 1 but appeared to impact his playing time. The Chargers deployed him for just 12 snaps in the 2025 season opener. Harris then played 20 snaps in Week 2.
He then left in Week 3 with the Achilles tear.
Harris was incredibly durable early in his career. Still, NFL teams will probably view Harris best suited for a complimentary role on a 1-year prove it deal in 2026.
That could be great for the Cowboys. Harris could offer higher quality depth and more experience than who else they have on the RB depth chart after Javonte Williams.
Harris Experienced Great Success With Steelers
With the Steelers, Harris was often the team’s bell-cow back. As a rookie, he led the NFL with 381 touches on his way to a career-best 1,200 rushing yards and 1,667 yards from scrimmage. Harris made the Pro Bowl that season.
From 2022-24, he was the model of consistency. Harris gained between 1,034-1,043 rushing yards in all three of those years.
Harris hasn’t been used as much as a pass-catcher since his rookie season. But in his first year, he arguably played with his best quarterback — Ben Roethlisberger. “Big Ben” hit Harris for 74 passes for 467 yards.
That versatility could be very useful for Dak Prescott. The Cowboys only had one running back with at least 15 receptions last season — Williams. He wasn’t particularly efficient at it either. Williams averaged just 3.9 yards per catch.
Harris offers affordability and versatility, which could make him a great fit for Dallas in 2026.
Cowboys Urged to Pursue Former Pro Bowl RB in NFL Free Agency