It might be tempting to consider the Cowboys running back room and think that because Ezekiel Elliott is back in town after a one-year journey in the AFC, he will be the main guy for the Cowboys next year. However, coach Mike McCarthy disagrees.
Talking about the transition the Cowboys running game is going through after the departure of free agent Tony Pollard in March, McCarthy stated that his aim is to make sure Elliott doesn't have to handle too much of the workload in 2024.
When asked if Elliott would be the top player again in Dallas, McCarthy firmly said no.
McCarthy expressed that it's not fair to expect Elliott to have the same role as before, emphasizing that the team will use multiple running backs. He expects Elliott to perform at the same level and sees no decline in his abilities.
Ezekiel Elliott was the top rusher in the NFL as a rookie
McCarthy is correct: Elliott has an impressive record as a Cowboys running back.
He was the league's rushing leader as a rookie and in his third season, and led the NFL in yards per game in his initial three years, averaging 108.7, 98.3, and 95.6 yards. He scored 68 touchdowns in seven seasons.
However, like many NFL running backs, Elliott struggled with the early workload. He had four great seasons at the beginning of his career, but his performance declined significantly after that. By his final season in Dallas in 2022, he averaged 58.4 yards per game and a career-low 3.8 yards per carry. Last year with the Patriots, it dropped to 3.5 yards per carry.
Nevertheless, there is concern about the Cowboys' limited experienced talent in the running back room as summer approaches. They may add another player, but for now, the Cowboys have Elliott and last year's backup Rico Dowdle, 2023 sixth-rounder Deuce Vaughn.
Cowboys did not select rookie RBs
An even bigger worry was the Cowboys' choice not to draft a running back when the opportunity arose. Before the draft, it seemed very likely that Dallas would choose from a small group of new backs.
However, when they had the opportunity to pick a running back with the 87th pick in the third round—MarShawn Lloyd from USC was the next player drafted, with Jaylen Wright and Bucky Irving leading a fourth-round run on backs—the Cowboys instead chose Notre Dame linebacker Marist Liufau. Linebacker was a need, but running back seemed more urgent.
Team VP of personnel Will McClay explained after the draft that the team opted not to select a running back due to how the draft unfolded, believing that having Elliott as a backup plan was sufficient for the team.
“I believe the running back position nowadays does not rely on one lead back. It's a group effort,” McClay informed the Dallas Morning News.
“We are looking forward to what (Elliott will) bring to that group, along with the other pieces and how we incorporate it into the offense, and utilize their skills to enhance our group.”
