Skip to main content

'Run, Rojo, Run!' Ronald Jones Signs, Ezekiel Elliott OUT; Cowboys RB Room Improved?

The Cowboys signed running back Ronald Jones II as a free agent, but has the unit improved with his addition?

The Dallas Cowboys continued the impressive free agent frenzy as they signed former Kansas City Chiefs running back Ronald Jones II to a one-year deal

Thought of as a backup to Tony Pollard, the two-time Super Bowl champ will bring some experience to coach Mike McCarthy's unit after Ezekiel Elliott was cut as a cap casualty.

The running back room is somewhat cramped, with Jones now accompanying Pollard and two younger backs, the recently re-signed Rico Dowdle and Malik Davis. 

But has the unit improved with the addition of Jones?

The answer, at least on paper, might be "yes.'' Jones didn't get much of a chance to show last year that he still had the power and juice to be a viable option in the backfield. He finished last season with only 70 rushing yards on 17 attempts and a touchdown in his six games with the Chiefs. But he rushed at 4.1 yards per clip.

That doesn't make him "better than Zeke'' - a situation that became more of a "rip off the Band-Aid'' issue than it is a "Rojo is better than Zeke'' situation.

Will Jones, who played in high school at McKinney, just down the road from The Star, provide more burst and explosiveness than Elliott? Worth mentioning is that since 2019, Jones has not averaged under four yards per carry in the NFL, and that is something that Dallas can utilize as McCarthy stated he wants to run the ball more effectively in his West Coast Offense.

"Replace Zeke'' is almost an unfair ask of any of the journeyman running backs who'll work behind Pollard. The reality is, the running back room needed another body, and the Cowboys are giving "Rojo'' a crack at the job.


Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Dallas Cowboys?

Follow FishSports on Twitter

Follow Cowboys / Fish on Facebook

Follow Adam Schultz on Twitter

Subscribe to the Cowboys Fish Report on YouTube for constant daily Cowboys live-stream podcasts and reports!