Talk about a fall from grace for Dallas Cowboys running back Felix Jones. After training camp ended, many experts, and Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, believed that 2011 would be a breakout year for the former Arkansas running back. Unfortunately for Jones, he was mired by injury once again, which allowed for DeMarco Murray to emerge as the team's primary running back.
Now it appears that Jason Garrett and the Cowboys brass have considered trading Jones, at least according to Calvin Watkins of ESPN Dallas. Watkins lists Jones as one of five Cowboys on the bubble as we approach the NFL Draft.
The Cowboys were interested in Boise State running back Doug Martin, but he wasn't able to visit Valley Ranch for a pre-draft visit because of last week's storms. Jones isn't a feature back -- in fact, Cowboys coach Jason Garrett continues to call him a complementary running back -- and the team had internal discussions about trading him. If the Cowboys find a younger version, it wouldn't surprise anyone if he's let go. DeMarco Murray, Phillip Tanner and quite possibly a draft pick doesn't make the Cowboys significantly younger, but it does give them some fresh legs. Jones, like Marion Barber and Julius Jones before him, might need a fresh start somewhere else.
It seems like it's unlikely that the team would flat out cut Jones -- at least not currently. Still, it's certainly something to keep an eye on as we approach the draft. If the Cowboys can get a respectable draft pick in return for Jones, the Cowboys may very well pull the trigger.
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