Cowboys Sign ‘Aggressive’ Former 13-TD Running Back in First Roster Moves.
One of the Dallas Cowboys’ first offseason roster additions is more depth at running back. Following the ink on eight players’ Reserve/Future contracts, the Cowboys revealed three more signings. Along with receiver Martavis Bryant, Dallas has also signed running backs Snoop Conner and Maliki Davis.
Prior to the NFL playoffs, the organization decided to use the wide receiver’s place for a different player after he had a brief spell on the practice squad this season. Throughout the previous two seasons, Davis has been a member of Dallas’ practice squad.
Conner is perhaps the most noteworthy addition given he was not previously on the Dallas roster. Most recently, Conner played eight games for the Jacksonville Jaguars in 2022 posting 12 carries for 42 yards.
The Cowboys previously announced the signing of the following players to a Reserve contract: receiver Jalen Moreno-Cropper, wideout Racey McMath, tackle Earl Bostick, cornerback Josh Butler, tight end Princeton Fant, linebacker Buddy Johnson, pass rusher Durrell Johnson and defensive back Sheldrick Redwine.
The newest running back brings with him an impressive collegiate resume with a standout career at Ole Miss. Conner notched 130 carries for 647 yards and 13 touchdowns in 2021.
NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein called Conner “aggressive” and “rocked up” prior to the 2022 NFL draft. Conner was chosen by Jacksonville in the fifth round of the 2022 NFL Draft.
Zierlein described Conner in his pre-draft profile as a “rocked up runner with an aggressive disposition and relatively low mileage on his tires.” “Conner’s versatility as a runner in schemes may come in handy when he advances to a higher level. Though he is more than eager to chose violence in every situation, he seldom ever lets that mentality stop him from using his eyesight to find less-traveled routes.
“He will run himself into some tackles because of his red-hot tempo, but ironically, he’s a patient and highly effective short-yardage back. Conner’s disappointing showing at the NFL Scouting Combine is hard to ignore, though, and could hurt his standing with evaluators. Conner has three-down talent and projects as a good committee back with the frame to carry a workload if needed.”
Cowboys Rumors: Dallas May Let Tony Pollard & Draft a New Starting Running Back
What are Future Deals/Reserves? NFL teams use it as a means of holding onto the rights to young players before the next season begins. These agreements forbid the players from negotiating with other teams, in contrast to practice squad agreements made during the season when players can be plucked.
Conner and Davis don’t seem like the best candidates to play RB1 for the Cowboys in 2024. The rushers do provide depth to a position that did not perform well in the previous campaign.
The major question mark this offseason is what Dallas will do with Tony Pollard moving forward. With the former Pro Bowler set to hit free agency, Dallas may opt to address the position in the draft which likely presents a more affordable option. ESPN’s Adam Schatz expects just that with the analyst predicting Pollard will walk in free agency.
In an article published on January 14, 2024, Schatz explained, “The Cowboys will allow running back Tony Pollard to leave in free agency and then trade up to the top of the third round to take a new starting running back, perhaps TreVeyon Henderson (Ohio State) or Blake Corum (Michigan).”
Although hardly many running backs are expected to be selected in the first two rounds of this year’s draft, the Cowboys will want to move up to ensure they choose the player of their choice.
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