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          Dallas Cowboys

          Cowboys' addition of Darren McFadden is low-risk

          • Todd Archer, ESPN Staff WriterMar 13, 2015, 03:35 PM
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              Todd Archer is an NFL reporter at ESPN and covers the Dallas Cowboys. Archer has covered the NFL since 1997 and Dallas since 2003. He joined ESPN in 2010. You can follow him on Twitter at @toddarcher.
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          IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys cast their vote with their offensive line in allowing DeMarco Murray to depart via free agency. By signing Darren McFadden to a two-year deal on Friday, we’ll be able to judge just how good the offensive line is.

          The Cowboys’ faith in the offensive line is warranted. Tyron Smith is one of the top three left tackles in football and a two-time All Pro. Right guard Zack Martin was named to the Pro Bowl as a rookie, and became the first Cowboys rookie to earn All-Pro honors since 1969. Center Travis Frederick was named to the Pro Bowl as well.

          Right tackle Doug Free and left guard Ronald Leary are solid starters as well.

          The Cowboys were one of the top destinations for free-agent running backs. Who wouldn’t want to run behind that line, have Tony Romo at quarterback, Dez Bryant at wide receiver and Jason Witten at tight end?

          All of that should make life easier for a running back.

          Like Murray, McFadden has battled injuries. Like Murray, he played his first 16-game season in 2014. He has one 1,000 yard season to his credit (1,157 yards in 2010).

          But in Oakland, McFadden hasn’t had an offensive line to run behind like he will have in Dallas. This is a low-risk chance for the Cowboys after losing out on Murray in a big-money game with the Philadelphia Eagles.

          The addition of McFadden will not stop the Cowboys from selecting a running back in the early parts of the upcoming draft.

          What the addition of McFadden does is allow said rookie -- Todd Gurley, Melvin Gordon or Tevin Coleman -- to not have to be the guy right away. While the transition to the NFL at running back is easier than other positions, it’s still a lot to ask a rookie to fill in for the NFL’s leading rusher.

          Murray had 392 carries for the Cowboys in 2014, a franchise record. It’s clear that record will be safe in 2015.

          The Cowboys know they will need a committee approach at running back. In 2009, they ran for 2,103 yards and 14 touchdowns as a team with Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice as their top rushers. They went 11-5 and won a playoff game with an offensive line that had Pro Bowlers in Andre Gurode and Leonard Davis.

          The runners will be different in Dallas in 2015, but that doesn’t mean the running game will change.