{"id":69634,"date":"2019-08-03T11:24:19","date_gmt":"2019-08-03T15:24:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=69634"},"modified":"2019-08-03T11:24:19","modified_gmt":"2019-08-03T15:24:19","slug":"dallas-cowboys-should-trade-ezekiel-elliott","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2019\/08\/03\/dallas-cowboys-should-trade-ezekiel-elliott\/","title":{"rendered":"Dallas Cowboys Should Trade Ezekiel Elliott"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Dallas Cowboys<\/a> have a serious problem on their hands. Star running back Ezekiel Elliott<\/a><\/strong> is holding out for a new contract and might not return until he gets it. Jerry Jones<\/a><\/strong> says he could envision the holdout lasting \u201cmonths<\/a>\u201d and doesn\u2019t seem thrilled about paying a running back top dollar. Instead of giving into Elliott\u2019s demands, the Cowboys should trade Elliott for a high pick.<\/p>\n

Time For Dallas Cowboys to Trade Ezekiel Elliott<\/strong><\/h2>\n

First, let\u2019s start by saying that Ezekiel Elliott is easily one of the two or three best running backs in the league. However, that doesn\u2019t mean the Cowboys can\u2019t get 80-90% of the production at a fraction of a cost. Running the ball simply doesn\u2019t matter as much in 2019 as it did back in 1994, so investing a high percentage of the cap in an inefficient style of play simply isn\u2019t smart team building.<\/p>\n

The fact of the matter is that running backs don\u2019t matter in today\u2019s NFL, even the generational ones. Rushing production has more to do with playcalling and offensive line play than it does the actual running back. James Connor\u00a0<\/strong>seamlessly filled in for\u00a0Le’Veon Bell<\/strong>,\u00a0C.J. Anderson<\/strong> replaced\u00a0Todd Gurley<\/strong>, and\u00a0Damien Williams<\/strong> replaced\u00a0Kareem Hunt<\/strong>. These aren’t isolated instances, as this sort of thing happens all the time.<\/p>\n

Nobody would argue that\u00a0Demarco Murray<\/strong> is more talented than Ezekiel Elliott, but they had almost the same production when utilized in the same role. Some may think that Murray’s success was due to\u00a0Tony Romo<\/strong>, while Elliott is carrying a weaker quarterback in Dak Prescott. This brings up to point two:<\/p>\n

https:\/\/twitter.com\/DLPatsThoughts\/status\/1156544094602240001?s=20<\/p>\n

The Run Game Doesn’t Affect the Pass Game<\/h3>\n

Modern-day analytics are laying waste to older, outdated narrative throughout the league. For the longest time, most believed that running the ball well created a positive impact on the passing game. However, there is no evidence to support that claim.<\/p>\n

Supporters of paying Elliott claim that Elliott\u2019s presence brings extra defenders into the box, which in turn creates more throwing lanes. However, studies show<\/a> that defensive formation has a significantly larger impact on box count than the running back. Elliott faced stacked boxes at essentially the same rate as other Cowboys\u2019 backs, and there is no correlation between stacked box percentage and running back ability. Additionally, rushing success and volume has no measurable effect<\/a> on play-action passing.<\/p>\n

Some Elliott defenders believe that his pass-catching acumen makes him worthy of a large contract. While he more targets in 2018, that\u2019s not necessarily a good thing for an offense. Running back targets are inherently less valuable than targets to wide receivers and tight ends, and only the truly elite pass-catchers like Alvin Kamara<\/a><\/strong> are capable of actually being efficient when targeted.<\/p>\n

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EPA\/play and success rate on 1st & 2nd down running back targets, by team, 2018<\/p>\n

Andy Reid the gawd pic.twitter.com\/YquhveDkO8<\/a><\/p>\n

— Computer Cowboy (@benbbaldwin) June 28, 2019<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n