A day after rosters were trimmed to their final 53-man number, the Dallas Cowboys acquired running back Christine Michael from the Seattle Seahawks for a conditional draft pick, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN. The draft pick is a seventh round draft pick, as NFL.com reported.
This is a good deal for both sides as the Seahawks needed to clear a roster spot for running back Fred Jackson, who they agreed to terms with a few days ago. The Seahawks haven't announced the Jackson deal, so this should be the move that will trigger the announcement of the one-year deal that the former Bills running back has reportedly agreed to.
As for the Cowboys, they are looking for running back help with Darren McFadden, Lance Dunbar, and Joseph Randle as the only backs on the 53-man roster. There will have to be a corresponding move from the Cowboys once the teams announce the deal.
Michael was drafted by the Seahawks in the latter part of the second round of the NFL Draft in 2013 and never saw good playing time for the Seahawks as he was behind Marshawn Lynch and Robert Turbin on the depth chart over the past few years. In the past two seasons, Michael only ran the ball 52 times.
Michael this season was facing another uphill battle for playing time in Seattle as the Seahawks kept rookie Thomas Rawls, who it looks like beat him out for the third string spot with the Seahawks. With Jackson in that mix and obviously Lynch, this will be a good move for Michael, who should get a chance to prove himself with the uncertainty in the Cowboys backfield. Robert Turbin was also waived with injury and could return down the road.
The Cowboys were rumored to be looking to acquire either Montee Ball or Terrance West, but they ended up making this deal, which works out very well for both teams. They will all have some big shoes to fill after the departure of DeMarco Murray.
Michael is somewhat returning home as he played his college ball at Texas A&M and his home is in Beaumont, Texas.