If the Dallas Cowboys don’t get Javonte Williams back when free agency rolls around, they’re going to need a new RB1. They’ll have lots of options available, but one name is emerging as an intriguing contender: current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne, who’s also set to become available.
Alex Kay of Bleacher Report thinks the Cowboys would be a perfect addition for Etienne in free agency.
“If Williams elects to take his talents elsewhere, the Cowboys will have to scour the market to find a replacement. With only little-used backups Jaydon Blue, Israel Abanikanda and Phil Mafah are under contract for the 2026 season, the door would be open for a blockbuster free-agent acquisition,” Kay wrote on January 13, adding:
“Etienne would be a sensible choice for a Cowboys team that should be feeling desperate for some backfield stability. The team hasn’t fielded the same Week 1 starter in consecutive years since Ezekiel Elliott departed for the first time in 2022, but Etienne could fill that void and hold down Dallas’ RB1 job for the next few years.”
More on Why Travis Etienne Might Be a Target for the Dallas Cowboys in 2026 Free Agency
GettyThe Dallas Cowboys could go after current Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne when 2026 free agency hits.
Etienne was a first-round pick in 2021, selected 25th overall by the Jags. He turns 27 at the end of January, and he has already shown he can carry an offense in Jacksonville.
He rushed for 1,125 yards and five touchdowns on 220 carries as a rookie in 2022, followed by 1,008 yards and 11 scores on 267 carries in 2023. His production dipped in 2024, when he finished with 558 yards and two TDs on 150 carries in 15 games while dealing with nagging lower-body injuries much of the year.
He rebounded nicely in 2025, finishing with 260 carries for 1,107 yards and seven TDs. In all, Etienne has produced three 1,000-yard rushing seasons in his four years
He also has value as a receiver, an element that makes his potential fit in Dallas all the more intriguing. Etienne caught 35 passes for 316 yards in 2022, followed by a career-high 58 receptions for 476 yards and a touchdown in 2023. He finished with 39 catches for 254 yards last year, before hauling in 36 passes for 292 yards and six TDs this season.
How Much Money Might Etienne Be Seeking?
If Spotrac’s projections are correct, Etienne is set to make around $7 million per year when he inks his next deal. We think it’ll be a tad higher than that, but likely in the $7-9 million per season range.
The Cowboys will have some cuts to make in order to free up some salary cap space, as they’re currently $39 million over the cap, but they’re also going to need a RB if Williams walks.
“Etienne projects to be a strong fit in head coach Brian Schottenheimer’s scheme as well. Despite eschewing the chance to spend big bucks or use premium draft picks on running backs, Dallas still ranked inside the top-10 in rushing offense in 2025 and coaxed a career year from Williams—a player who was largely written off after averaging a dismal 3.6 yards per rushing attempt during his final two seasons with the Denver Broncos,” Kay also noted.
“Upgrading to a more talented, versatile back like Etienne could elevate Dallas to the very top of the league in rushing, taking pressure off quarterback Dak Prescott to shoulder the offensive load in 2026.”
Will Etienne be a top target for Dallas? We’ll know in a matter of months, as 2026 free agency officially begins on March 11 at 4 p.m. EST.
Like Heavy Sports’s content? Be sure to follow us.
This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
The post Cowboys Could Replace Javonte Williams in ‘Blockbuster’ Move for Former 1st-Rounder appeared first on Heavy Sports.