The Dallas Cowboys have added another name to their running back room, bringing in former New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller following the NFL trade deadline. With Tyler Goodson dealing with an injury, Dallas needed additional depth behind Javonte Williams, but the question is whether Miller can actually provide a spark to this Cowboys offense. Now, Cowboys Nation, I’m very familiar with Miller dating back to his days at TCU, where he helped lead the Horned Frogs to a national championship appearance during the 2022 season. He was selected in the third round of the 2023 NFL Draft by New Orleans, and while there’s some upside to his game, the film tells a much more complicated story than simply adding another talented young running back.
When you turn on the tape, one of Miller’s biggest strengths is his contact balance. He has the ability to absorb contact, stay on his feet, and squeeze out additional yards when defenders fail to bring him down cleanly. His vision is another positive, particularly when operating between the tackles. Miller shows the ability to read defensive leverage, identify developing running lanes, and make adjustments when his initial path closes. However, there are some concerns with his running style. Miller consistently runs with a high pad level, which limits his leverage and ability to deliver punishment through contact. He also lacks the lateral flexibility and explosive change-of-direction ability you typically want from a running back who can consistently create opportunities on his own. He’s more comfortable pressing downhill than making defenders miss in space.
Where things become even more concerning is in pass protection. Throughout my film evaluation, Miller showed a tendency to lunge or dive at defenders rather than maintaining his base and anchoring through contact. That’s a problem when you’re responsible for protecting Dak Prescott. NFL defenders will expose poor technique in a hurry, and if Miller wants to earn meaningful offensive snaps in Dallas, that part of his game has to improve. As a receiver, he displays reliable hands on underneath routes and swing passes, but he isn’t necessarily a dynamic weapon after the catch. Ball security also deserves attention, with two fumbles noted during my evaluation. While I wouldn’t label him a running back with a fumbling problem, it’s another area Dallas must monitor as he develops.
So, what’s the overall verdict? Kendre Miller is a developmental depth addition, not an immediate solution to the Cowboys’ running back concerns. At this stage, I don’t see him providing a significant upgrade over some of the other options Dallas has explored, especially when it comes to explosiveness and third-down reliability. Running backs coach Derrick Foster will have an opportunity to work on Miller’s fundamentals, particularly his pad level, physicality, and pass protection. But Cowboys Nation, we have to separate potential from production. Miller is still young enough to improve, and there are traits worth developing. However, until he proves otherwise, this looks more like a practice-squad insurance policy than a player who’s going to dramatically change the Cowboys offense. That’s why we watch the film and let the tape tell the story.