Cowboys Trade Rumors: Interest in Dolphins RB Raheem Mostert?

The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to Minnesota Vikings running back Dalvin Cook, but could they be interested in the Miami Dolphins leading rusher from last season?

When the Minnesota Vikings alerted four-time Pro Bowl running back Dalvin Cook that he was to be cut and become a free agent, the Dallas Cowboys immediately rose as a potential destination. ... in the minds of some, anyway.

Despite Tony Pollard solidifying himself as Dallas' RB1 heading into the season, there is still a level of uncertainty behind who will backup the 2022 Pro Bowler, however. And that can open up some reasonable speculation.

Cook, one of the NFL's very best at his position, has already garnered plenty of interest around the league - with the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos, the Buffalo Bills and the New York Jets already joining in as potential landing spots.  

But if the Dolphins were to land Cook in free agency, veteran running back Raheem Mostert could find himself on the move, with Dallas being a possible suitor, in the opinion per Heavy.com. 

"If the Dolphins sign Cook and look to trade one of their RBs, the Cowboys should be ready to make a move for Mostert," Heavy writes. "While he’s not a classic bruiser like Elliott or Cook, Mostert has been a three-down RB before with the San Francisco 49ers and would bring experience and speed."

After bouncing around the league over his first two NFL seasons, the 31-year-old has established himself as a reliable back for the San Francisco 49ers before joining the Dolphins. 

Posting at least 500 yards in three of the last four years, Mostert led the Dolphins in rushing last season with a career-high 891 yards on the ground, to go along with two touchdowns and 31 receptions. 

"One of the reasons why Mostert is a legitimate trade option is that he has an affordable contract to take on," Heavy writes. "In March, the Dolphins re-signed the veteran to a two-year, $5.6 million deal according to Spotrac. The Dolphins would have to take a small hit due to his signing bonus. But that’s probably a fair cost that would be baked into what Dallas would have to trade for Mostert."

After trading for wide receiver Brandin Cooks and cornerback Stephon Gilmore this offseason - both warranting Day 3 draft picks - a deal for a solid backup such as a Mostert could land in the same area in terms of being a low asking price. 

Per Heavy: "Considering his age and injury history though, the RB’s cost should be reasonable. A fourth-round or fifth-round pick should be enough to get a deal across the line, and something the Cowboys can afford to give up."

With the new "Texas Coast Offense" up and running in full effect, it's fun to think of new blood, including a back such as Mostert. The problems with the theory are many, though, starting with: Is Mostert obviously superior to Dallas' present backups? Team sources indicate to CowboysSI.com that the Cowboys likely want a good look at the present backs in training camp, in pads, before making any "luxury'' move ... which is what adding a Pollard backup essentially is.

And that is probably especially true of a running back who is 31 years old and at 5-10 and 197 pounds may not add a component that is any different than what already exists on the roster.

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You can find Riley Sheppard on Twitter @RileyDSheppard

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