COWBOY NEWS: What can the Cowboys expect from Mind Blowing 24-years-Old in 2024?

May 4, 2024 Michael Mills NFL, other 0

After months of speculation, the Dallas Cowboys have officially brought back former All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott. This move had been hinted at by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for nearly a year.The Cowboys’ approach to the running back position this offseason is what ultimately turned the rumors into reality. Initially, the team was expected to pursue a running back early in free agency.

However, this did not come to fruition, as the Cowboys were reportedly “out-bid” for the player they were targeting – a common occurrence in the free agency market.Furthermore, the Cowboys did not select a running back in any of the seven rounds of the 2024 NFL Draft. This lack of action at the position, combined with the persistent rumors, led to the team officially bringing back Ezekiel Elliott, their former All-Pro running back.

Key Points

  • The Dallas Cowboys have officially re-signed former All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott
  • This move had been speculated about by Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for almost a year
  • The Cowboys were expected to pursue a running back in free agency, but were “out-bid” for their target
  • The team also did not select a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, further indicating their plans to bring back Elliott

Overall, the Cowboys’ approach to the running back position this offseason, including their inability to acquire a new player and their eventual re-signing of Ezekiel Elliott, highlights the team’s commitment to their former star at the position.

Dallas was left with limited choices, leading them to opt for the straightforward and cost-effective solution of bringing back the former top-five draft pick.The decision to re-sign Elliott has sparked intense debate among fans for obvious reasons. While both sides present valid arguments, it is widely acknowledged that this move provides the Cowboys with much-needed clarity at the running back position.

With the running back situation settled, the focus now shifts to what Elliott can contribute in his return to familiar territory. Expectations for his performance vary widely, prompting a need for a realistic assessment of what “Zeke” can deliver in the upcoming 2024 season.

To anticipate Elliott’s potential performance for Dallas, it is essential to examine his recent output, notably during his time in New England. Despite personal fondness for Elliott, it is crucial to acknowledge the challenges he faced in generating significant success while running the ball for the Patriots. His performance included a career-low average of 3.5 yards per carry, lacking the explosive runs and consistent gains typically associated with his play.

Analyzing Ezekiel Elliott’s 2023 Performance

The key statistic that has been steadily decreasing for Ezekiel Elliott since the 2019 season is his yards per carry (YPC). This decline in his rushing efficiency is due to a combination of factors, both related to Elliott’s own performance and the quality of the offensive line in New England.On one hand, Elliott’s explosiveness and ability to make defenders miss, bounce runs outside, and outrun opponents has diminished in recent years. This has led to holes filling up quickly and limited his ability to consistently generate big gains on the ground.At the same time, the Patriots’ offensive line was also a contributing factor to Elliott’s career-low 3.5 YPC in 2023.

According to analysis from outlets like The 33rd Team, the Patriots’ offensive line was ranked among the bottom five units in the league last season. This poor offensive line play made it more difficult for Elliott to find running lanes and create positive yardage.So in summary, the decrease in Elliott’s yards per carry statistic is attributable to a combination of his own declining skills and the subpar performance of the Patriots’ offensive line. It was not solely due to one factor, but rather a confluence of issues that led to Elliott’s career-low rushing efficiency in 2023.

Impact of New England’s Offensive Struggles on Ezekiel Elliott

Observing the Patriots’ games from last season makes it evident that their offensive performance was subpar, particularly in the passing game. This lackluster offensive display had significant implications for Ezekiel Elliott.The Patriots’ offensive struggles resulted in two main outcomes for Elliott. Firstly, opposing defenses frequently stacked the box against the run, as they were not threatened by New England’s passing game.

This made it challenging for Elliott to find running lanes and gain yards on the ground.Secondly, due to the team’s reliance on him as a receiver out of the backfield, Elliott saw increased involvement in the passing game. He recorded 51 receptions for New England, marking his highest reception total in a season since 2020.

Key Takeaways on Ezekiel Elliott’s Outlook

The analysis of Ezekiel Elliott’s 2023 season with the Patriots provides several important insights:

  1. Decline in Explosiveness: Elliott is no longer the same dynamic, explosive athlete he was earlier in his career. His ability to make big plays and consistently gain yards on the ground has diminished.
  2. Mitigating Factors: However, Elliott’s down year in New England was not solely due to his own shortcomings. The constant stacked boxes he faced, as a result of the Patriots’ struggling passing game, made it extremely challenging for him to be effective as a runner.
  3. Passing Game Contributions: Despite the issues in the running game, Elliott demonstrated his value as a receiving threat out of the backfield, recording a career-high 51 receptions. This skill set could be beneficial for the Cowboys.
  4. Potential Fit in Dallas: Elliott could provide solid contributions to the Cowboys in 2024 as a receiving threat, reliable blocker, and short-yardage runner. An improved offensive line in Dallas may also help him perform at a higher level.
  5. Tempered Expectations: The Cowboys should not expect Elliott to return to his previous Pro Bowl form. He no longer possesses the same level of explosiveness and dynamism that made him a dominant running back earlier in his career.

In summary, while Elliott can still be a valuable asset to the Cowboys, they must manage their expectations and understand that he is no longer the elite, game-changing running back he once was.

Based on the information provided in the search results, it appears the Dallas Cowboys’ running back situation for the 2024 season is still quite uncertain. However, the most likely scenario is that Rico Dowdle will emerge as the team’s RB1, rather than Ezekiel Elliott taking on a lead role.The key points that support this:

  1. The Cowboys have made it a priority to re-sign Dowdle, who was their RB2 last season, to a 1-year deal. This suggests they see him as a key part of their backfield plans.
  2. The Cowboys’ front office has indicated they are looking to address the running back position through both free agency and the draft, implying they may not be fully committed to Elliott as the lead back.
  3. The Cowboys’ current running back room is very young and inexperienced, with Dowdle being the most seasoned player. This makes it more likely the team will turn to him as the RB1 rather than relying on Elliott.
  4. While the team’s public messaging may indicate Elliott is the starter, the Dowdle scenario is described as “more likely” given the overall context of the Cowboys’ running back situation.

So in summary, while the Cowboys could still feature Elliott in a prominent role, the search results suggest Rico Dowdle is the player most likely to emerge as the team’s RB1 in 2024, rather than Elliott taking on that lead role.

He brought significant energy, dynamism, and powerful running alongside veteran Tony Pollard in the previous season, earning praise from the team for his performance. It is evident that the team was impressed by his contributions.
It would be a mistake to assume that the team will disregard this successful dynamic and financial investment just to rely solely on Ezekiel Elliott for carries. The 2024 backfield should not be viewed as a situation dominated by Elliott as it was in 2016. Instead, think of it as Dallas aiming to replicate the successful combination of Pollard and Dowdle from the previous season.
While Elliott holds the veteran RB1 role, younger players like Dowdle are expected to consistently inject explosive plays into the offense. This strategy yielded positive results in 2023, and the transition from Pollard to Elliott may not result in as significant a drop-off as some may anticipate.

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