According to Vic Lombardi of CBS 104.3 in Denver, the Denver Broncos and Dallas Cowboys are engaged in trade talks for running back Montee Ball.
Broncos and Cowboys discussing a deal for Montee Ball.
— Vic Lombardi (@VicLombardi) September 4, 2015
This is a bit surprising, since Jerry Jones and the Cowboys have repeatedly said they are content with their current running back committee of Darren McFadden, Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar.
Ball was Denver’s second-round draft pick in 2013. However, due to injuries and overall under-performance, Ball now sits behind C.J. Anderson, Ronnie Hillman and Juwan Thompson. Last season, Ball was given the opportunity to start but only had 55 carries for 172 yards—an average of 3.1 yards per carry—and was replaced by Anderson.
Another topic worth noting about a possible trade is that the Cowboys were not interested in any trades for running backs during the offseason after they let DeMarco Murray walk. Either Ball intrigues Dallas, or Jones and Co. believes he’s the most available runner on the market.
If a trade indeed is struck with the Broncos, the Cowboys’ payment would likely be a late-round draft pick in 2016.
Ball would then become a part of the already-crowded backfield, though he would have experience in a zone-blocking scheme. Denver coach Gary Kubiak brought that system to Denver. Perhaps this is part of the reason the Cowboys are showing interest in the young back.