The Dallas Cowboys’ backfield is in dire need of a spark, and the rumor mill is buzzing with the possibility of a blockbuster trade to address it. With Miles Sanders sidelined for the season, the Cowboys are reportedly eyeing Las Vegas Raiders’ veteran running back Raheem Mostert as a potential game-changer to bolster their roster ahead of the NFL trade deadline on November 4, 2025.
The Cowboys’ running game has been a tale of highs and lows this season. Javonte Williams has been a revelation, torching defenses and ranking third in the NFL with 447 rushing yards through Week 5. However, the depth behind him is razor-thin. Sanders, Dallas’ second-leading rusher with 117 yards and a touchdown, is now out for the year. Quarterback Dak Prescott, of all people, is the team’s third-leading rusher—a clear sign that reinforcements are needed.
Rookie Jaydon Blue and fullback Hunter Luepke have combined for a mere five carries, while practice-squad back Malik Davis and injured rookie Phil Mafah offer little immediate help. With a 2-2-1 record, the Cowboys can’t afford to limp into the postseason with such a depleted backfield. Enter Raheem Mostert, a 33-year-old veteran whose explosive playmaking could be the answer.
Mostert, currently playing second fiddle to Raiders rookie sensation Ashton Jeanty, is a proven commodity despite his age. Signed to a one-year, $1.6 million deal with Las Vegas in March 2025 after being released by the Miami Dolphins, Mostert is a low-risk, high-reward trade target. His cap hit is minimal, and his trade cost is unlikely to exceed a Day 3 draft pick, making him an attractive option for a Cowboys team looking to maximize value.
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Don’t let his age fool you—Mostert still has plenty left in the tank. In 2023, he racked up over 1,000 rushing yards and led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns, showcasing his ability to dominate as a lead back. His postseason pedigree is even more impressive. Cowboys fans might wince at the memory of Mostert’s 220-yard, four-touchdown explosion in the 2019 NFC Championship Game for the San Francisco 49ers, a performance that cemented his reputation as a clutch performer.
This season, Mostert’s role in Las Vegas has been limited, with just 11 carries for 84 yards through five games. But his eye-popping 7.6 yards per carry average proves he’s still a dynamic threat when given the opportunity. With the Raiders sitting at a dismal 1-4 and leaning heavily on Jeanty, Mostert has been a healthy scratch at times, making him a prime candidate for a trade to a contender like Dallas.
The Cowboys could land Mostert for a modest price, with a proposed deal centered around a conditional 2026 sixth-round pick that could escalate to a fifth based on snap counts or yardage milestones. For a Raiders team trending toward a rebuild, moving a 33-year-old on an expiring contract for draft capital makes perfect sense. For Dallas, it’s a low-cost gamble on a player who could transform their backfield.
“Adding Mostert won’t fix everything, but it gives Dallas a legitimate RB2 behind Williams,” notes Cowboys Wire’s Todd Brock. “His postseason experience could be a difference-maker for a team with Super Bowl aspirations.”
Mostert’s addition would provide the Cowboys with a versatile, battle-tested veteran to complement Williams’ bruising style. His speed and big-play ability would stretch defenses, while his postseason heroics offer hope for a deep playoff run. At 33, Mostert may not be the long-term answer, but for a Cowboys team in win-now mode, he’s the perfect short-term solution.