Cowboys vs. Niners 'Secret Weapon': Brandin Cooks Or Sign RB?

With Tony Pollard coming off an injury, the Dallas Cowboys run the risk of losing a legitimate threat in the run game if he goes down again. And maybe that's where Brandin Cooks comes in. Or ...

It became apparent in the Dallas Cowboys' divisional round loss to the San Francisco 49ers that they needed more playmakers. Especially after Tony Pollard's injury, the Cowboys didn't have the offensive firepower to overcome one of the NFL's top defenses. 

After a season where the offense was crying out for a third option at receiver after trading away Amari Cooper in the offseason prior, the Cowboys this spring traded for reinforcements in the form of Brandin Cooks. The 29-year-old veteran's arrival in Dallas from the Houston Texans gives the Cowboys a much-needed vertical presence to go along with CeeDee Lamb and Michael Gallup. Yet, there is still the question of whether that is enough. 

In the second half, fresh off the injury to Pollard, the Cowboys' offense was plagued by an inability to create explosive plays outside of Lamb. Without the presence of Pollard, the Niners' defense could focus on committing more bodies to stop the Cowboys' passing game as Ezekiel Elliott failed to spring a run more than five yards. 

Elliott is no longer a member of the Cowboys running back room after his release this offseason, meaning the Dallas run game will turn to one of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Ronald Jones and Malik Davis if Pollard goes down again. 

Are they good enough? Proven enough? Should Dallas be looking at vet free agent backs Kareem Hunt and James Robinson?

Adding the 27-year-old Hunt would give Dallas a short-yardage option to replace Zeke, who also led the team with 12 rushing touchdowns last season. Yet, even after managing a smaller role in Cleveland behind Nick Chubb, some believe Hunt doesn't have enough tread left on the tires. 

For a Cowboys front office who just let go of Elliott due to his pricey contract and declining physical abilities, any notion of decline would likely put Dallas off Hunt, as Spotrac believes his market value to be at $7 million annually. ... and we can tell you that the Cowboys will never, ever go there.

If not Hunt, what about the recently released Robinson? The former undrafted free agent was just cut by the New England Patriots before the end of mandatory minicamp, and at 24 years old, wear and tear shouldn't be much of an issue. He'd also bring a similar skillset to Hunt at a cheaper price. 

Here is our answer, via info from inside The Star: The Cowboys have cap room to make an addition to their roster, yet it is unlikely that it happens prior to the start of training camp as they wait to assess what they truly have currently. In other words, there is a level of belief in Jones, Davis, Dowdle and Vaughn ... and at the end of this month in Oxnard, the Cowboys will work to confirm that belief before making a move at running back. And at the same time, there is faith that Cooks helps balance out the offense with Pollard-helping weaponry.

---

COWBOYS FISH REPORT … now a podcast! Join us inside The Star, ANY TIME!

Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?

Follow FishSports on Twitter

Follow Harrison Reno on Twitter

Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook

Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live reports!