The Dallas Cowboys are getting very on the subject of being at a crossroads with their celebrity working again Ezekiel Elliott.
Elliott is 26 years outdated and had 3 Professional Bowl seasons out of his first six years within the NFL.
The ones have been his easiest seasons: 2016, 2018, and 2019.
Tony Pollard burst at the scene in 2019 and thru 3 seasons has been a very good supplement to Elliott.
May the Cowboys make a decision to transport on from Elliott and have Pollard within the backfield in 2022?
It sort of feels most unlikely that the Cowboys would industry Elliott, and listed below are the the explanation why.
3. The Golden Age Of NFL Working Backs Has Handed
The technology of the working again who’s the workhorse for one group for a protracted time frame has handed.
NFL working backs are actually seen to have a shorter occupation between the competitiveness of the placement and the possibility of accidents.
Their top is of their early to mid-20s.
Groups will use draft choices to get working backs and put them to paintings instantly.
There are lots of examples of working backs who fizzled out early; Todd Gurley is only one that involves thoughts.
Gurley’s NFL occupation lasted six seasons; he’s 27 years outdated.
Ezekiel Elliott:
– Most definitely inferior to he as soon as was once
– Most definitely now not well worth the CAP hit
– Nonetheless a just right soccer participantAll of these items can also be, and individually are, true
— AverageFantasyFootballGuy (@FantasyAverage) February 24, 2022
2. His Contract
The Cowboys signed Elliott to a six-year $90 million deal.
“This can be a horrible contract. Zeke appears to be like, if now not washed, like obviously the second one easiest working again in this group.”
— @ColinCowherd on Ezekiel Elliott vs. Tony Pollard: percent.twitter.com/Ftysi14acq
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) September 22, 2021
This was once in hindsight a mistake.
It’s too lengthy of a freelance time period with too many bucks tied up which may be applied to reinforce different positions.
No group goes to need to swallow this contract despite the fact that they’d an hobby in buying and selling for Elliott.
Tony Pollard graded higher than Ezekiel Elliott as a rusher, receiver, go blocker, and run blocker in 2021 (by way of PFF).
Elliott’s 2022 wage cap fee is greater than 16 occasions greater than Pollard’s.
— Pat Thorman (@Pat_Thorman) February 25, 2022
1. 2022 Has To Be “The Yr” For The Cowboys
Each NFL group approaches the following season as make or spoil, however the Cowboys have extra urgency than maximum.
They’ve younger avid gamers who’re on the top, and they’ve an all-star training group of workers.
2021 was once a horrible sadness; the Cowboys fell to the 49ers, harking back to many years previous in that competition, within the wild card spherical.
2022 is Tremendous Bowl or bust.
If that doesn’t occur, this group and training group of workers shall be dismantled.
Elliott shall be amongst those that will most likely now not go back if issues cross badly in 2022.
His contract has an early and rather less expensive go out ramp integrated prior to the 2023 season.
Conclusion
Cowboys enthusiasts had top hopes for Elliott in 2021.
He was once again to his faculty enjoying weight, and it was once noticeable in his runs.
Elliott did have 4 extra touchdowns in 2021 than in 2020, however he most effective rushed for 22 further yards.
This might be the Pollard issue, however the Cowboys truly want a wholesome Elliott to energy via and put on down opposing defenses as he did previous in his occupation.
To be truthful, if he can not do this for the Cowboys in 2022, his inventory all through the NFL will cross down.
He may just transform extra like a Todd Gurley who peaked early however pale simply as temporarily.
Within the interim, he’s going to have the celebrity on his helmet for no less than yet another season; no reasonable or viable industry plans shall be at the horizon.
