With 2014 NFL rushing champion DeMarco Murray reportedly on his way to the rival Philadelphia Eagles on a five-year deal, the Dallas Cowboys have a mighty big hole to fill in their backfield this offseason.
Who's on the Cowboys' radar? Will they find their #1 back in free agency or the 2015 NFL Draft? Here are 4 names to look out for as owner Jerry Jones and company look to replace DeMarco Murray.
Reggie Bush
Bush, 30, was limited to just 11 games due to injury in 2014, and he wasn't exactly a primary back when he did make the field -- averaging under 7 carries per contest (76 for 297 yards & 2 touchdowns). However, he's still a solid target out of the backfield, picking up 40 catches on just 56 targets for 253 yards last season. Signing Bush wouldn't likely be the end-all, be-all for Dallas at RB, as they'd likely also look for a young back in the draft to complement the veteran dual-threat.
CJ Spiller 
Here's a gamble which could very well pay off if Spiller can come back 100% healthy. The 27-year-old appeared in just nine games for the Buffalo Bills in 2014 due to a shoulder injury, rushing for 300 yards while catching 19 balls for 125 yards and a score. The upside to Spiller lies in his home-run capability and his 2,800+ combined all-purpose yards in 2012 and 2013. Some view Spiller as a depth option, but he's got a chance (with some luck) to be a bargain starter for a team like the Cowboys.
Melvin Gordon 
Several NFL analysts have indicated that the Cowboys will likely look to the NFL Draft for help at halfback, and what a draft to do so. Gordon's the arguable pick of the litter, possessing a first-step explosiveness and playmaker pedigree that evokes Chris Johnson during his prime years with the Tennessee Titans. Gordon finished just 41 yards shy of Barry Sanders' all-time single-season rushing record with 2,587 yards in 2014, and there's no reason to think that he's not a worthy 1st-round pick or a future Pro Bowler at this juncture.
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