5 Reasons Why the Cowboys Would Be Idiotic to Trade for Adrian Peterson

The Offense Doesn't Need an Elite Back

To the previous point, if there's one offense in the NFL that may not need an elite back, it's arguably this one.

The Cowboys own one of the best offensive lines in the NFL. For some proof, Dallas' second-leading rusher last year, Joseph Randle, rushed to a 0.11 Rushing NEP per rush. The sample size is limited, but only Darren Sproles, Juwan Thompson and Jonas Gray were better among backs with 50 or more totes.

This is what happens when you draft offensive linemen early and often in the NFL Draft.

Dallas also owns one of the most overly-criticized quarterbacks of all time in Tony Romo, who finished with the second best Passing NEP per drop back average in the NFL last year, behind only Aaron Rodgers.

Add in Dez Bryant -- who has the sixth-best per-target efficiency numbers among 400-plus target receivers over the last five years according to our numbers -- and you've got a formula for success, with or without a top-notch, stud running back. A simple serviceable runner (not Darren McFadden) or a committee approach (preferably without Darren McFadden) is enough for this team in the short term.