Talk of a potential Ezekiel Elliott and Dallas Cowboys reunion ended on Monday when the veteran RB signed a one-year contract with the New England Patriots.
The Dallas Cowboys entered the offseason ready to move on from veteran power rusher Ezekiel Elliott after his productive seven-year stint with the franchise. Tony Pollard took over lead back duties last season and the Cowboys added two new RBs to the roster over the summer: Ronald Jones and rookie Deuce Vaughn.
Despite that, the rumors of a potential Elliott return would not die. Pollard's injury left doubt about his early-season availability and Jones was suspended for the team's first two games. Vaughn is a 5-foot-6 utility back selected in the sixth round of April's NFL Draft. The Cowboys' other reserve, Malik Davis, has 38 NFL carries to his name.
The options aren't great, especially if Pollard gets knocked around once the season starts. It's only natural that fans held out hope for a potential Elliott reunion, especially when the 28-year-old went several months without signing a contract.
Such speculation ended on Monday, however, when Elliott signed a one-year deal worth up to $6 million with the New England Patriots. The concerns about Dallas' backfield don't end with Elliott's availability, however. Here are a few potential backup plans the front office could consider.
Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott backup plan: 3. Leonard Fournette
If the Cowboys want another veteran to back up Pollard and provide experience in the RB room, Leonard Fournette comes to mind. The former LSU star turned top-four pick spent the last three years behind Tom Brady in Tampa Bay, where he won his first Super Bowl in 2021. The Cowboys could value Fournette's trademark power in goal line and short-yardage situations.
Fournette appeared in 16 games (nine starts) for Tampa last season. He rushed for 668 yards on 189 carries and found paydirt thrice. He also added 523 yards and three touchdowns through the air. Fournette has gradually expanded his repertoire as a pass catcher since entering the league in 2017, which could help him chart a successful late chapter with Dallas (or another team).
A paltry 3.5 yards per attempt does signal Fournette's age and imminent decline. He has never been the most productive RB in that sense, often reliant on volume over efficiency. Still, Fournette is built like a tank and he can comfortably handle change-of-pace duties behind a more spry lead runner like Pollard.
Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliot backup plan: 2. Kareem Hunt
Kareem Hunt's numbers hit career lows last season in Cleveland. He ran for 468 yards on 123 attempts for three touchdowns, with 210 yards and one more touchdown added through the air. Taking a backseat to Nick Chubb more than ever before, Hunt's career-worst 3.8 yards per carry is a troubling sign. The 28-year-old remains unsigned as a result.
That said, Hunt has a long and fruitful NFL track record. In 2017, he led the league in rushing (1,327) as a rookie. Hunt was banged up in 2021, but he spent 2020 in a more even timeshare with Chubb, accumulating a combined 1,145 yards and 11 touchdowns. He thrived in third-down situations and frequently siphoned end zone looks away from Chubb.
Dallas could hope for Hunt to unlock some of his old magic behind Pollard. The Cowboys simply don't have another player with Hunt's resume at the position. He would immediately assume third-down duties while giving Dallas another versatile playmaker behind Pollard, who's a potent pass-catcher in his own right.
The Cowboys will ultimately have to decide whether or not to sacrifice touches for younger backs like Davis or Vaughn in favor of a veteran on the backside of his NFL career. Hunt can still contribute, but he comes with his share of injury concerns and there's no guarantee his efficiency doesn't slip further down the drain. Experience is a good thing for a locker room, but it's fair to wonder if Hunt is the best use of Dallas' resources.
Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott replacement: Dalvin Cook
Yeah, yeah, yeah, the obvious pick. Dalvin Cook remains a free agent. The New York Jets have been the favorites for a while, but the Jets don't really need Cook. Breece Hall is a superstar and New York's young reserves are tearing up preseason action. Cook would only take touches away from the Jets' up-and-comers.
A similar argument could be made against the Dallas fit, but it's hard to hold Malik Davis and Deuce Vaughn in the same light as Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight. Cook is also not the same as Kareem Hunt or Leonard Fournette. He is fresh off his fourth straight Pro Bowl appearance and still one of the best RBs in football.
Pollard would presumably maintain a stronghold on lead back duties in Dallas, but Cook's arrival would make it more of a timeshare. That might be smart from the Cowboys' perspective. No ground has been made on a long-term extension for Pollard, but it would behoove the franchise to preserve his longevity all the same. Conversely, having Cook split time could preserve his burst and keep him more effective with his touches.
Cook scampered for 1,173 yards and eight touchdowns last season, with another 295 yards and two touchdowns added through the air. His numbers and workload would take a big hit next to Pollard, a definite change for Cook, but he is facing a similarly diminished workload with New York, Miami, or most other competitive destinations. The Cowboys offer Cook a legitimate chance to compete for a Super Bowl while running behind a historically effective offensive line, led by the newly re-upped Zack Martin.