Cowboys Urged to Sign RB Kenyan Drake as 'Affordable Option'

The Dallas Cowboys are once again linked to a veteran running back in free agency, this time former Baltimore Raven Kenyan Drake.

A storyline that has been interesting to watch unfold this offseason is the Dallas Cowboys and rumors surrounding their potential signing of multiple veteran running backs. "Interesting'' ... and sort of "frustrating,'' too.

From a reunion with the released Ezekiel Elliott to bringing in Kareem Hunt to dragging out of semi-retirement Adrian Peterson, the Cowboys have been linked to multiple players who the media thinks should back up Tony Pollard. We've heard observers offer the biggest ideas (Derrick Henry!) and the littlest ones (just let Deuce Vaughn be the backup!)

And - from where we're sitting - they're all wrong. Nevertheless, Heavy.com is giving it another go, having brought forth a new suggestion that they could pursue should they choose to add another running back - Kenyan Drake. 

"The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott, but they could go in a different direction by signing a former Baltimore Ravens star in free agency," Heavy.com writes. "Kenyan Drake has yet to find a team after the 2022 season, and the Cowboys have yet to add a new veteran presence."

Spending last season with the Baltimore Ravens, Drake showed flashes of what once made him one of the best running backs in the NFL. In 12 games with the Ravens, including five starts, he rushed for 482 yards and four touchdowns while adding 17 receptions for 89 yards and a touchdown through the air. 

He wouldn't be asked to come in and carry the load in Dallas, but rather to spell Pollard and provide even more depth. Should the Cowboys decide he's worth bringing in, Drake could likely be had on a rather affordable deal as well. 

"Drake played on a veteran minimum deal ($1.035 million) for Baltimore, and it probably won’t cost that much more to sign him going into the 2023 season," Heavy.com writes.

"Considering that Elliott is working his way down from an eight-figure contract, Drake is likely to be the more affordable option and could elevate the Cowboys’ offense in the same way."

Of course, this hypothetical signing hinges on the Cowboys not being comfortable with their running back room behind Pollard - a notion that is simply not part of Dallas' mindset, as CowboysSI.com has often written. And written. And written.

They signed veteran Ronald Jones, drafted Deuce Vaughn out of Kansas State and already featured the duo of Malik Davis and Rico Dowdle on their roster. Simply put, in their minds, they're set at the position for now. 

Sure, the Cowboys could see fit to bring in Drake in the coming months to provide even more depth. However, as it currently stands it shouldn't be an anticipated move in Dallas. ... and maybe this is the best way to think about this: Excluding the Henry-level player, all of these names are vet-minimum guys who've accomplished a few things but are now trying to reclaim some glory. In addition to the youngsters Davis, Dowdle and Deuce, the Cowboys have that exact guy in Ronald Jones. So why would they need "two Ronald Joneses''?

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You can find Connor Zimmerlee on Twitter @Connorjz98

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