ESPN expert explains what Dallas Cowboys signing Royce Freeman means for NFL Draft running back plans

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The NFL Draft is only nine days away but the Cowboys have not diverted all their attention towards it.

Jerry Jones has signed off on just their second outside free agent signing of the offseason.

Running back Royce Freeman has put pen to paper on a one-year deal, per Todd Archer.

Furthermore, the ESPN reporter has confirmed he joins the running back room from the Los Angeles Rams.

The bulldozing rusher registered 77 carries last year for 319 yards including two touchdowns.

Freeman joins the Cowboys after the Cowboys miss multiple targets

Freeman joins a depleted rushing core with Rico Dowdle and the shortest running back in the NFL, Deuce Vaughn.

This is not the marquee signing Cowboys Nation would have hoped for because that time has passed.

When free agency opened the likes of Derrick Henry, Saquon Barkley, and DeAndre Swift were all taken off the open market.

Soon after it was revealed Jerry Jones declined a top free-agent rusher due to the price being set.

Moreover, Jones was in conversation with Zach Moss but the contract numbers were too steep.

However, they have dipped back into free agency for a running back but Freeman will not be the starter.

Freeman joining does not affect the Cowboys’ draft choices

In the wake of the free agent acquisition, Michael Gehlken posted: “This does not alter the expectation Dallas will select a running back in next week’s draft.”

According to the Dallas Morning News reporter, the Cowboys are still set on picking a rusher in next week’s NFL Draft.

Unfortunately, the Cowboys’ desperate need for a running back coincides with a weak rushing class.

Nonetheless, there are still some promising talents in the aspiring pool of rookies.

Brooks and Allen are ones to watch for the Dallas Cowboys draft

Cowboys have shown strong interest in Johnathon Brooks out of Texas University.

The franchise has very close ties with the college graduate as the Cowboys physician performed the surgery for his ACL tear in 2023.

Stephen Jones has stated they have been keeping a close eye on the 20-year-old.

His stock in the draft will drop due to the detrimental injury he sustained.

In addition, Braelon Allen has tipped to be an excellent fit for the Cowboys offense.

Freeman’s presence has not altered the Cowboys’ intentions of drafting a running back early in Detroit.

They still need the premium position to be filled to complement Dak Prescott’s passing game.