Derrick Henry Signing with Dallas Cowboys Projected by ESPN's Bill Barnwell

Derrick Henry is potential cut candidate who could fall into the lap of the Cowboys, asserts ESPN’s Bill Barnwell. But is his assertion based on any fact? Any fact at all?

FRISCO – The Dallas Cowboys are locked in to Tony Pollard being the lead back in 2023, and we have suggested that maybe they leave him on his one-year franchise tag deal of $10 million because they may use this NFL Draft to find a cheap heir.

But ESPN’s Bill Barnwell has a different idea.

A very different idea.

According to Barnwell, star play-maker Derrick Henry is potential cut candidate following the draft and he is envisioning the perennial NFL rushing champ candidate – who has topped 1,500 yards in three of the last four seasons – falling into Dallas’ lap.

It’s the sexiest possible idea. But what is it based upon?

We do know the Titans might be in strip-down mode and are willing to listen to trade offers. But in Barnwell’s scenario, they find no buyers (in part due to Henry being 29 and costing $10 million for the year) and so they bid him farewell.

And what about from the Dallas perspective?

*Barnwell asserts that he believes the Cowboys would “prefer” to add another veteran rather than relying on a rookie running back. That is not accurate. The have added vet Ronald Jones, but are very much interested in using a premium pick in the draft on a back – and again, one who might eventually replace Pollard.

We can promise you: The Cowboys would rather have Texas’ Bijan Robinson than have Derrick Henry.

*Barnwell asserts that Dallas is concerned about Pollard’s rehab from his leg and ankle injury. That is also not accurate; the Cowboys medical people are upbeat about the likelihood of Pollard being available to start the 2023 season.

*Barnwell does not seem concerned about Dallas’ budget here. But Spotrac projects Henry’s market value to be a two-year, $30 million deal; that may be way off, but even at a fraction of that, the Cowboys aren’t going to employ a pair of $10 million running backs.

*Barnwell takes one more stab at the Dallas running backs room, saying he’s not convinced that Ezekiel Elliott, recently cut, is done with the Cowboys. But as we’ve reported: Never say never, but Dallas has moved on from Zeke, and the Cowboys’ suggestion that the “door is open” for his return is more a matter of respect than it is a matter of fact.

All in all, this is fun stuff. “America’s Team” and “King Henry,” right? And maybe that’s the tone – “fun stuff” that is intended in Barnwell’s piece.