The Dallas Cowboys enter this season with a pair of running backs capable of taking over football games any given week. Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard will handle the running responsibilities for the Cowboys this season, with 2022 being their fourth year together. Elliott will be entering his seventh season, while Pollard will begin his fourth. Elliott and the Cowboys agreed to a six-year extension in 2019, his second contract in the NFL. Pollard is still playing on his rookie deal. Elliott won’t be an unrestricted free-agent until 2027, unless the Cowboys release him next summer. Pollard on the other hand could test the free agency waters following this season. This year is important for both running backs, with Pollard looking to earn a significant pay raise for his services in the league to date. Elliott will look to show Dallas a return on its investment. One important factor remains: the Cowboys have a decision to make on their future at running back.
Dallas selected Pollard in the fourth-round in 2019, the first of two backs taken by the Cowboys that season. The 2018 season ended with Elliott amassing 304 carries and backup Rod Smith only touching the ball 44 times. The Cowboys needed a second-fiddle to Elliott, something the roster failed to provide for that season. Enter Pollard. The tailbacks athleticism and talent was on full display at Memphis for three seasons. Spending time at both wideout and running back, Pollard racked up more than 2,200 scrimmage yards and 18 scores during his tenure. Pollard burst onto the scene his rookie year with 100 touches, three scores and a good change of pace from Elliott.
Tony Pollard Is Moving On Up
The selection of Pollard added to a list of backup running backs the Cowboys had utilized in previous seasons. Elliott’s rookie season of 2016 featured Alfred Morris in a backup spot, who took over for an unlucky Darren McFadden. Morris continued in 2017 before handing the duties to Rod Smith for the 2018 season. Pollard has held the spot for the past three seasons, with an increase in reps and touches occurring each season. Last year, Pollard recorded 130 carries which placed him ahead of Bills quarterback Josh Allen and Texans back Rex Burkhead for attempts. His 5.5 yards-per-attempt ranks eighth in the league and should attract several off-season suitors, assuming he replicates that success this season. Pollard is a weapon and a running back that teams will keep an eye on. The Cowboys will have to showcase him to the league this year, especially if Elliott struggles to handle the workload. Elliott failed to touch 100-yards after week five and was actually out-performed by his teammate for the second-half of the season. If Elliott’s decline continues or emerges again this season, expect an increase for Pollard in reps and touches, especially with the contract of Zeke up for discussion.
Conclusion
I would really like to see a healthy balance of both backs this season. If Pollard’s touches remain limited, then I would assume Elliott is on pace to shatter some records. The breakdown of Elliott last season was apparent and the hesitancy to turn to Pollard was disappointing. Dallas offenses of the past have worked with similar sets of players. DeMarco Murray was paired with Lance Dunbar, Tashard Choice and Joseph Randle. Tavon Austin was also asked to play the role of elusive number-two. Pollard is serving the role now and should earn a starting job next year somewhere in the NFL. Which team is unknown at this time. One thing is for sure, the Cowboys and current running backs are in quite a unique scenario.