If the Cowboys weren’t already ‘all in’ this offseason, they are now. Jerry really threw caution to the wind with this signing, turning to a familiar face in the clearly regressing Ezekiel Elliott to – checks notes – take on the lead role in the Cowboys backfield. After neglecting to add a running back in any of the draft’s seven rounds, the Cowboys had an acute need and likely still do even following this signing.
Zeke’s homecoming is certain to warm the heart of many a Cowboys fan, but for the fantasy football community, it only adds another layer to the stinking onion that has become Dallas’ backfield. Elliott joins Rico Dowdle, former 2023 sixth-round pick Deuce Vaughn, and fullback Hunter Luepke to make up what is one of the least dynamic RB rooms in the league. What we can take from this blatant disregard on the part of the Cowboys for their run game is that the Cowboys will be forced to be pass-heavy in 2024. That’s music to the ears of Dak Prescott and Ceedee Lamb’s fantasy managers, as well as potential breakout TE Jake Ferguson’s, as well.
As for Zeke, there’s a chance that Mike McCarthy and co. force feed him to begin the season, which could give him legitimate RB2 value for at least part of the year. He proved in 2023 that he can still get the job done in the passing game, and he had 12 touchdowns on the ground in 2022 thanks to an explosive offense that delivered him to the goal line plenty of times. A similar role could be in the cards for the veteran in 2024.