Yahoo Sports analyst Nate Tice made a bold call on social media this past Sunday, urging the Dallas Cowboys to strike a trade with the New York Jets for running back Braelon Allen. Tice posted directly to X, writing, “(Cowboys please trade for Braelon Allen ).” The 22-year-old runner has just one year remaining on his rookie contract, making him a cheap, high-upside target for a team that struggled to run the ball in their latest win.
The Running Game Needs a Wake-Up Call
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Washington Commanders 37-20 on September 20, but the victory masked a glaring weakness in their offense. According to the game stats reported by Google News, “America’s Team” managed only 21 carries for 66 rushing yards and failed to score a single rushing touchdown. They averaged a paltry 3.1 yards per clip, a number that simply cannot support a Super Bowl contender. While the score looked good, the ground game was anemic, leaving the quarterback to do all the heavy lifting.
Allen offers a physical presence that Dallas currently lacks in the backfield. The former fourth-round pick has already shown he can handle a workload, appearing in 23 games with two starts. He has carried the ball 125 times for 457 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns in those opportunities. He is not a flashy player, but he is reliable and built like a freight train, which is exactly what a tired offensive line needs to open up the play-action game.
A One-Year Deal With Massive Upside
The financial logic for this trade is hard to ignore for any smart front office. Allen enters his third NFL season with just one year left on his $4.5 million rookie contract. This means the Cowboys could sign him to a team-friendly deal for 2027 or flip him for draft capital later if they decide to move on. It is a low-risk, high-reward scenario that fits the current market perfectly.
Reports from Yardbarker and other outlets note Allen’s long term furture with the Jets remains incertain. If New York says no, then entertaining a trade makes all the sense in the world for the green and white. They could at least get back a fourth-round pick, which is what they invested to get him in the 2024 NFL draft. Why hold onto a player you might not keep when you can get a asset back and solve a problem for a rival?
There is also the matter of the roster depth. While Allen has been the backup to Breece Hall, several beat reporters have suggested he might not even be the second choice anymore. Zack Rosenblatt of The Athletic called Isaiah Davis the “early favorite” to win the RB2 gig over Allen. If the Jets are looking to move on from Allen to clear the path for Davis, Dallas should be the first team to pick up the phone and make a deal.
Why Dallas Must Act Now
The Cowboys have a history of making big moves, and this situation calls for immediate action. They need a runner who can grind out tough yards and protect the football, not just a receiver who can catch short passes. Allen has caught 22 balls for 173 receiving yards and one receiving touchdown, but his real value lies in his ability to run between the tackles. His impressive physique, which saw him accidentally surge past 250 pounds this offseason, proves he has the size to break tackles and wear down defenses.
Every team needs a running game that can control the clock, and Dallas is currently failing at that task. The stats from their last game against Washington show a team that cannot move the chains without a big play. Adding Allen would give them a proven option who can step in immediately and make an impact. The Jets are sitting on a player they might not even want to keep, and the Cowboys are sitting on a need they desperately have to fill.
Tice is right to push for this move, and the Jets should listen. The Cowboys need to strike while the iron is hot before another team realizes the value of a 22-year-old running back with a year of control left.
