Dallas Cowboys Take No Risk, May Get Big Reward with Darren McFadden Signing

Darren McFadden is not DeMarco Murray, but the Dallas Cowboys won't need him to be. The Cowboys let Murray sign with the Philadelphia Eagles on an incredible five-year, $42 million contract. It was a move that left fans in Arlington, Texas, and all over the world stunned.

The decision to let Murray walk showed us two things about the Cowboys. The first is that Vice President of Player Personnel Stephen Jones is now running the show in Dallas. Nail, meet the head with this report from Clarence E. Hill Jr. of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram (h/t Darin Gantt of Pro Football Talk). Jerry Jones is obviously not a fan of being in the shadows, but the younger Jones seems to have no problem running the show in silence.

Matt Slocum/Associated Press

The second thing? The Cowboys aren't going to have their hand forced. When ESPN's Adam Schefter (h/t Pro Football Talk) reported that the Cowboys were essentially admitting defeat, it was telling. Dallas wasn't willing to bite on the big contract demands of Murray but also wouldn't pay what they didn't believe made sense. The Eagles chose to bite, and Dallas was willing to deal with that.

The Cowboys didn't want to pony up the big money for Murray, which was the right move for multiple reasons. Murray not only has a past that's filled with plenty of injuries, but the running back market as a whole just isn't what it used to be. Tack on the fact that the 2015 NFL draft is incredibly deep with running back talent, and it didn't make sense to pay up.

According to OverTheCap, Murray is now a top-five-paid running back. Does he deserve it? Absolutely. Is any running back worth $8 million per year anymore? No, unfortunately not. On top of that, Murray is also guaranteed 45 percent of his contract.

One of the newest running backs in Philadelphia (let's not forget about Ryan Mathews) will have a strong 2015 season. The fact that the team also has Mathews and Darren Sproles should help aid any injury concerns and will keep Murray fresh. With that said, that's a lot of money to invest in a guy who will be a part of a three-headed monster at running back.

How About Run DMC?

According to the Cowboys' official website (h/t The Associated Press, via FoxSports.com), Darren McFadden had always had thoughts of becoming a Cowboy.

"I always kept my eye on Dallas," McFadden said. "I figured whatever happened with DeMarco Murray's situation would have an impact on my situation. I feel like it worked out great for me."

Apparently, the interest was mutual. It took just one day after Murray went to the Eagles for McFadden to sign his new contract.

This isn't the first time the Cowboys have been rumored to be interested in McFadden. The 2008 NFL draft likely flashes in the minds of Cowboys fans. While the team chose to go with McFadden's running mate from Arkansas, Felix Jones at No. 22, that doesn't tell the whole story.

At the time, the rumors were out there that Jones wanted McFadden and could consider trading up for him if he fell past No. 5 in the draft. As we know, McFadden went No. 4 to the Oakland Raiders, and that was the end of that hypothetical situation.

Lefteris Pitarakis/Associated Press

Can Cowboys Get 2010 McFadden Back?

Over the past three seasons, McFadden has been one of the most mediocre running backs in the NFL. He's not only missed 10 games due to injury, but he's averaged only 540 yards per year with a 3.3-yards-per-carry average.

The best year of McFadden's career came back in 2010 when he played 13 games but rushed 223 times for 1,157 yards and seven scores. We saw the potential that McFadden had that year, and now he'll get a chance to run behind one of the best offensive lines in the NFL.

We've obviously seen the glimpses of what Run DMC can do, but we've also seen the many injuries he's suffered. McFadden has gone only one season without missing a game, but fortunately for the Cowboys, that was last season. McFadden has simply failed to live up to expectations thus far in his career, but that's not to say there isn't time to turn it around.

No Risk Involved with McFadden

As Todd Archer of ESPNDallas.com reported, via RotoWorld, McFadden's base contract involves very little risk for Dallas. On top of that, there's not even a guarantee that he'll make the final roster.

"The base value of Darren McFadden's two-year deal in Dallas is just $3 million," RotoWorld stated. "The number was originally reported at nearly $6 million. McFadden got a $200,000 signing bonus—even less than 2014 practice squad RB Ryan Williams—and won't be assured a roster spot in camp."

So what this all adds up to is a spot where the Cowboys are getting a 27-year-old running back on a "prove it" contract. McFadden says he's always kept his eye on Dallas, and now he has a chance to take the reins as the go-to option in the backfield. There's no risk for Dallas, but can the former Raider step up and lead the charge?

According to Jon Machota of The Dallas Morning News, McFadden still has plenty of confidence in himself:

"

I don't feel like people have seen the best of me in the NFL. I can only go up from where I've been and that's what I'm looking forward to.

I love what Dallas' offensive line has to offer. They have the best offensive line in the league, I feel like. I don't have a question about my ability. It's just a matter of getting the ball in my hands and running.

"

Time will tell, but this signing has the potential to turn into more than just a player getting a shot to prove himself.