As training camp kicks off this week, we all pretty much know how things are going to unfold. If we’re being honest, one position group for this team has more work cut out for them than the others–running backs.
From top to bottom, the Cowboys will most likely be trotting out Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn and Royce Freeman.
Snoop Conner, Malik Davis and undrafted rookie Nathaniel Peat will compete for whatever scraps are left.
Those names don’t scare anybody.
Zeke used to be a problem for teams to worry about, but we have to be honest with ourselves. Does he have enough left to be the every-down back for this team, or will it be Dowdle?
Ranking The NFC East Running Backs:
1. Saquon Barkley, Eagles
2. Brian Robinson, Commanders
3. Devin Singletary, Giants
4. Austin Ekeler, Commanders
5. Rico Dowdle, Cowboys
6. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys
7. Kenneth Gainwell, Eagles
8. Eric Gray, Giants— Marcus Mosher (@Marcus_Mosher) May 14, 2024
Hopefully This Fires Up The Running Backs
If any position group on this team needed a fire lit under them to prove something, it’s probably the running back room.
According to ESPN analyst Mike Clay, projections for the 2024 NFL season show Dallas dead last of all 32 running back units around the league.
Zeke, in Dallas in 2022, posted 876 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground. As opposed to last year in New England when he managed just 642 yards and three scores.
If I was part of a group that was ranked dead last, I would at least give everything I had to make sure that was not the case at the end of the season. They say handwork beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard, but sometimes not having enough raw talent just does not help.
They have every right to be ranked dead last right now.
So I have no problem with it. Just look at all the rosters around the league, and you will agree for now.
Ezekiel Elliott is putting in the work for his comeback season with the #Cowboys 👀
(via @3hunnidGuru)pic.twitter.com/Yonca9vT5B https://t.co/i43KbcNprC
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) July 7, 2024
2024 Cowboys RB Outlook
The Dallas Cowboys’ running back rotation could change weekly, per running backs coach Jeff Blasko.
Mike McCarthy was asked about it and how he sees Elliott as he returns to the team after a year away.
“We’re a running back by committee [team],” McCarthy said. “But I think he’ll definitely play at the level that he’s played at in my time here [since 2020]. I don’t see any drop-off in the way he moves. He’s in good shape. … He has come in here and picked up right where he left off.”
This team struggled last season with Tony Pollard.
The offensive line is Tyler Smith, Zack Martin and a bunch of unproven young guys. We will see how that works.
The Cowboys’ current backfield comprises players with a varied set of builds and running styles, from Ezekiel Elliott (six feet tall while weighing 225 pounds) to Vaughn (five feet, six inches tall while weighing 176 pounds).
I honestly have no idea how this is going to work, but with ESPN saying they are the worst group in all football, I hope this sparks a fire under them.
It’s unlikely Rico Dowdle will ever seize full control of the backfield. The former undrafted free agent has just 113 career touches to his name but flashed in 2023, particularly in the passing game. He posted top-10 marks at the position in yards per reception (8.5) and yards per route run (1.35).
My expectations for this season are very low.
I think Zeke will put up better numbers than folks think, but the problem is he and the rest don’t scare anyone. Teams are going to dare them to run the football, and it’ll work most of the time.
Like McCarthy said, they will be a running back by committee and my guess is they ride the hot hand. It will be interesting to see if Vaughn or someone else can earn some snaps over the next month.
