Mike McCarthy opens up on Rico Dowdle's role in crowded running backs room

The Dallas Cowboys signed running back Rico Dowdle to a new deal in March to keep him around for at least one more season. The former Gamecock started his career with injuries but is now standing out in a crowded room of running backs as he heads into his fifth year in the league. Head coach Mike McCarthy revealed his thoughts on Dowdle ahead of the team’s final OTAs session before mandatory minicamp next week.

“He’s had a good offseason, looks great,” McCarthy said on Thursday. “He’s done an excellent job honing his training. (Dowdle’s) very bright, very instinctive football player… He’s definitely a lead guy in the group.”

The group Dowdle is a leader of includes former starter Ezekiel Elliott, as well as Deuce Vaughn, Snoop Conner, Malik Davis, and Royce Freeman. Though he wasn’t the leading rusher last season, he did enough to earn a one-year deal for $1.255 million.

Originally an undrafted free agent out of South Carolina, Dowdle had his healthiest and most productive season last year as he took on the supporting role behind Tony Pollard for the first time.

In 16 regular season games, the former Gamecocks star had 89 carries for 361 yards with two touchdowns. He gained 17 first downs and added six more by catching passes from Dak Prescott. He ended the year with 17 receptions for 177 yards and two more touchdowns. Dowdle played sparingly in the team’s postseason game against the Green Bay Packers. He had two carries for 11 yards in the loss.

Even if Dowdle only stars for the Cowboys for one season before they take another franchise-type running back in the draft, he could make a strong case for a big contract next March.

Cowboys taking running back-by-committee approach

Following the departure of Pollard in March, it was unclear how Dallas would approach the running back situation this year. It appears the team is comfortable keeping a stable of backs instead of relying on one or two for the bulk of the production this season. According to McCarthy, the NFL’s long schedule makes it necessary to have options.

“I think it’s the times that we’re in. 17 games is a lot of football,” McCarthy said. “That’s a big role for those guys. Don’t get me wrong, they’d all like to carry it like the old days and have all those touches, but you want those guys fresh at the most important time of year. It’s all part of the planning and how you project touches and playing time.”

Of all the running backs on the roster, Elliott is the only one who’s played the feature back role in the NFL. Despite bringing him back for another run, McCarthy isn’t planning to put the full load on the former first-rounder as he believes that wouldn’t be “fair.”

“We’re running back by committee, but I think he’ll definitely play at the level that he’s played, I know, in my time here. I anticipate that,” McCarthy said. “I don’t see any drop off in the way he moves. He’s in good shape. … He’s come in here, and he’s picked up right where he left off.”