The Dallas Cowboys picked up Ezekiel Elliott because of the problems they found in 2023.
This past season, the Cowboys had two running backs, Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle. However, during their playoff game against the Green Bay Packers, neither RB measured up to the challenge. Tony Pollard ran for an average of 3.7 yards per carry, for a total of 56 yards. His average was beaten by the team quarterback, Dak Prescott, who averaged 7.5 yards per carry for a total of 45 yards. It’s a tough postseason when your quarterback averages more yards than your running back.
So Dallas set out to fix their problems or at least come back to a past solution. But how well does Elliott compare to Pollard and Dowdle?
Ezekiel Elliot’s Stats, Hopes, and Comparison
Pollard and Dowdle
Throughout the season, Tony Pollard, who was picked up by the Tennessee Titans in free agency, totaled 252 carries and 1,005 yards for 4 yards per carry. Pollard also only collected 6 touchdowns the entire regular season. It’s not that great. He didn’t make the top 10 for running backs based on stats. Dowdle’s stats were significantly worse. He had 89 carries for 361 yards. Dowdle also scored only 2 touchdowns this past season.
So yeah. The Cowboys need a renovation on offense. Does Elliott fill the shoes of Pollard or is he another average replacement?
Running Back Ezekiel Elliott
This past year, Elliott played for the New England Patriots, collecting 184 carries for a whopping 642 yards. Elliott averaged 3.5 yards per carry and made 3 touchdowns. Nothing impressive. He falls in between Dowdle and Pollard based on his previous season–being better than Dowdle but not quite Pollard’s equal.
However, the Cowboys aren’t looking at his past season in their decision. They’re looking at Elliott’s 2022 season, where he averaged 3.8 yards per carry for an incredible 12 touchdowns, double what Pollard scored this recent season. The Cowboys are attributing Elliott’s success to the synergy with his teammates that season. By placing him back on the roster, they’re hoping for a repeat.
Overall, Elliott has had an explosive time with Dallas. He managed to average 268 carries for roughly 1,180 yards. This still doesn’t factor in the number of touchdowns Elliott made. When he played for the Cowboys, he averaged nearly 9 touchdowns every year.
Maybe the Cowboys are hoping Elliott will have a better chance at matching his prior success.
What Elliott Has That Pollard Lacks
The difference between Elliott and Pollard lies in that touchdown aspect.
Pollard was only able to collect 6 touchdowns this past season, meaning that he couldn’t truly capitalize and create plays. If you single out his statistics postseason, he did significantly worse. In his wildcard playoff game, Pollard only had 15 carries, 56 yards, and one singular touchdown. In one of the biggest games of the season, he didn’t even manage to yield 100 yards.
If we compare Elliott, who averaged 9 touchdowns, there’s a bit of a difference. Elliott also averaged better in the postseason, with 25.7 carries that created 98.2 yards. Elliott’s best games were in his 2016 and 2018 postseason time. In 2016 Elliott rushed for 125 yards, averaging 5.7 yards per carry. While in 2018, he had even more dynamic stats, rushing for 184 yards and 2 touchdowns.
The Cowboys had to remember these high statistical times in their decision to bring Elliott back into the fold.
What Dallas Needs From Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas is going to need two major things for Elliott to extend his one-year contract.
First, they’re going to need Elliott to be consistent. When you see his 2016-2018 postseason stats, you believe there’s hope for these kinds of years to return. The problem is that in later postseason matches, Elliott performed just as well as Pollard. In 2021, he rushed for 31 yards, averaging 2.6 carries. Right now Dallas is focused on fixing the postseason, and are hoping Elliott will be that solution.
Similarly, Dallas is also going to need Elliott to be a playmaker. The Cowboys are looking for offensive support for Prescott or for any future QB they bring in to fill the position. They’re wanting someone who can stay composed when the field gets hot and the game gets intense.
Ultimately, if Elliott can rise to that standard, then he can be an incredible running back.
If not . . . well, there’s always next season.
Main Photo: Chris Jones-USA TODAY Sports
