FRISCO, Texas — One week after launch ezekiel elliottthe Dallas Cowboys agreed to a one-year contract with the free agent running back ronald jonesthe team announced Tuesday.
It doesn’t mean Jones, a former second-round pick of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, will be Elliott’s lone replacement in 2023, but the Cowboys have provided depth to complement tony pollardwho is on the franchise tag of $10.091 million.
The Cowboys also reached an agreement with defensive end Dante Fowler Jr.. becoming the third defender to re-sign with the team, along with safety wilson-donovan and linebacker leighton vander escha source told ESPN.
Jones spent last season with the Kansas City Chiefs, but appeared in just six games with 17 carries after a four-year stint with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. His best year came in 2020 when Tampa Bay won the Super Bowl and finished with 978 yards on 192 carries with seven touchdowns.
Jones, who played not far from the Cowboys’ practice facility, The Star, at McKinney North High School, signed a one-year deal with the Chiefs last year but fell behind. isia pacheco, jerick mckinnon and Clyde Edwards-Helaire. For his career, he has 2,224 rushing yards on 507 carries with 19 touchdowns.
While the Cowboys have Pollard under the franchise tag, it’s possible they could reach a multi-year deal before the July 17 deadline. The jeans also have malik davisan undrafted free agent last year, on the roster and re-signed Rich Dowdlewho was injured for a good part of last season, to a one-year contract.
Jones is the second free agent the Cowboys have added Monday, as Dallas also signed the offensive lineman. Chuma Edoga to a one-year contract. Provides depth to their line after losing last year’s starting left guard, Connor McGovern, in free agency to the Buffalo Bills. The Cowboys’ biggest acquisitions thus far have come in trades for cornerback. stephon gilmore (Indianapolis Colts) and wide receiver brandin cooks (Houston Texans) for Day Three draft picks.
Pollard’s tagging and Jones’ addition doesn’t stop the Cowboys from signing a running back early in the draft, even with the 26th pick in the first round.
Fowler had six sacks in just 343 snaps last season after joining the Cowboys as a free agent from the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year contract. He was able to record the third most sacks he’s ever had in his career after meeting with coordinator Dan Quinn, who recruited him to the University of Florida and coached him in Atlanta.
With Fowler, the Cowboys have their top five sack leaders from a year ago in 2024, including micah parsons (13.5), dorance armstrong (8.5), DeMarcus Lawrence (6) and Wilson (5). Last year’s second-round pick, sam williams, had four bags. The Cowboys had 54 sacks last year, tied for third in the NFL and the most by a Dallas defense since 2008 (59).
