It was clear that the Dallas Cowboys needed help in the running back room once Tony Pollard wasn’t on the roster anymore. Many believed Dallas would emphasize the position in the NFL draft since they aren’t big players in free agency. However, the Cowboys didn’t pick one up, and instead, they brought back veteran Ezekiel Elliott just days after the draft.
The days of Elliott being a force as a runner are long gone. These days, he is expected to specialize in converting short third-down situations and in the red zone where he has shown a nose for scoring. With the committee approach that the Cowboys are going with, Elliott was supposed to be the other piece along with Rico Dowdle to lead the rushing attack. Although he does have the second most carries on the team, Elliott has seen his snaps go down. He had 23 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, but the previous two games before that, he only logged 15 and 10. That’s due in large part not only to Dowdle being more effective but also because Hunter Luepke has seen his role increase. He matched Elliott’s 23 snaps last Sunday and basically doubled his snaps with 30 and 29 in the two weeks prior.
Elliott could still be used in short-yardage areas and in the red zone. However, the Cowboys have strayed away from using him there as well. When they were inside the five on the final drive, Luepke caught an 18-yard pass to set up 1st and goal. After Prescott ran it down to the one, the Cowboys decided to hand the ball to Dowdle at that crucial moment. So, it brings up the question of what Elliott’s role is at this point?
It was a great story in a way to have Elliott back in Dallas. He’s here for a specific reason, though, and if the Cowboys aren’t even going to use him in those ways, he’s basically just taking up a roster spot.
