FRISCO – The trajectory of the Dallas Cowboys backfield has changed drastically since the end of the regular season. Tenured practice squad running back Rico Dowdle had the spotlight this season, posting a 1,000-yard campaign.

That created offseason debate of keeping Dowdle, drafting Ashton Jeanty or somehow accomplishing both. Jeanty was the prized target on a very early Cowboys’ draft board though that has since changed.

Jeanty will likely come off the board before Dallas is on the clock. The Cowboys have used free agency to assess those needs with a pair of signings in Miles Sanders and Javonte Williams.

That activity left more to be desired. Whether on Day 2 or Day 3 of the NFL Draft, Dallas may dip into a deep running back class for a younger piece for their backfield.

Alternatively, they could explore a trade. A new prediction from Aaliyan Mohammed of The Sporting News has the Cowboys pressing the envelope and acquiring San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey for Dallas’ No. 76 overall pick and a 2026 third rounder.

The Niners have not been shy about their desire for some cutbacks across the roster and already traded Deebo Samuel weeks ago. Many believe that Brandon Aiyuk could be next on the chopping block.

It’s being called a Dallas Cowboys ‘Blockbuster Trade Pitch’ for Christian McCaffrey” … but for anyone who is buying this?

It’s all bad news.

A move for McCaffrey makes for a real stretch from both sides. San Francisco does not possess much depth behind McCaffrey with Jordan Mason having left during free agency.

Even with McCaffrey’s injury issues, they would be ill-advised to trade him away and start from scratch at that spot.

From Dallas’ perspective, they would be making an uncharacteristic move for a player with an awful injury history and a major cap hit coming down the line. (Just a year ago, the 49ers gave him a two-year contract extension worth $19 million per year.)

The Cowboys, who are working to get Micah Parsons extended and who also might need running back help, have given us no indication that they want a $19 million APY back.

The Niners could be in pursuit of some cutbacks around the roster and Cowboys fans may be starved of excitement from how things have operated around The Star lately.

But these two rivals are unlikely to ever come together on a blockbuster deal like this one.