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Cowboys Bizarrely Linked To Pro Bowl RB

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Adam Schultz | Last updated Apr 20, 2025 11:05 PM ET

The Dallas Cowboys' search for a starting running back will lead them to the NFL Draft and the opening rounds.

With Miles Sanders, Javonte Williams, Deuce Vaughn, and Malik Davis on the roster, the consensus is that the Cowboys will look to round out the group with a young back in the draft.

Exactly who is unknown, with a host of viable options, but maybe the franchise might not need to invest in a running back in the draft.

Pro Football Network, in naming a trade candidate for every team, has Chicago Bears running back D'Andre Swift as the NFC North's pick, and named Dallas a potential landing spot.

"The Steelers and Cowboys are also teams that could use more running back depth and lean on more zone runs, which has been a better scheme fit for Swift in his career," Pro Football Network writes.

The move is good in theory, but when we delve a little deeper, it doesn't make much sense for both Chicago and Dallas.

First, Swift signed a three-year deal last offseason, and he performed reasonably well, rushing for 959 yards and six touchdowns, so it wouldn't make too much sense to move on after one year.

Plus, if he were traded before June 1, the Bears would have a little over $6.6 million in cap savings and $2 million in dead money. After June 1, the Bears would get $8 million in savings and only have $1.3 million in dead money per Over The Cap. So, it is really neither here nor there for the Bears.

As for Dallas?

Swift has a $7.3 million salary in 2025. Would the Cowboys pay that instead of a rookie running back? Likely not.

Given that Williams and Sanders are already on the roster, the Cowboys aren't likely to add another older back, particularly with such a deep running back class. Plus, Dallas won't want to part ways with draft capital at a time when it's desperately needed.

Swift's potential fit for Dallas is interesting, but the timing and D'Andre's 2025 contract couldn't be worse.

Which makes this rather bizarre potential move an easy one to pass on.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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