After the Dallas Cowboys learned DeMarco Murray found the $8 million per season he wanted from the Philadelphia Eagles, the front office quickly shifted to finding his replacement. While there exists options on the current roster like Joseph Randle, it's assumed that Dallas would look outside the organization for a starter.
On Friday morning, Dallas signed former Arkansas Razorbacks Darren McFadden, proving that Jerry Jones still can be blinded to his alma mater. McFadden signed a two-year deal with the Cowboys and Dallas seems to be quite happy with the deal and their plans for McFadden as "home-run hitting" backup.
McFadden could create the big run, but that was back in 2010 when he rushed for over 1,000 yards for the only time in his seven-year career. His 2010 season was definitely impressive and it carried over into 2011 when he had 614 yards on 113 carries before injuries got in his way. Since that two-year span, McFadden has 485 carries, 1,620 rushing yards and a dreadful 3.34 yards per carry combined over the past three seasons.
While McFadden is making the massive leap from a Oakland Raiders' offensive line that graded as Pro Football Focus third-worst in run blocking last season to Dallas who finished second-best, that doesn't make McFadden a fantasy "resurgence" candidate next season. Over the past three seasons he showed he has less burst than in 2010, as a result of numerous injuries and he doesn't have the vision to find little creases to run through.
McFadden is going to be a backup running back who will fight for carries with Randle, while the Cowboys look to add a starting running back in the draft or even in free agency with someone like Stevan Ridley. If you are in a deep fantasy league, then you can consider having McFadden for depth.