2022 Fantasy Football Draft: 3 Dallas Cowboys’ sleepers to look for

1. RB Tony Pollard

By most metrics (and most of the the most meaningful metrics, truly) you can find, Pollard was better than Ezekiel Elliott in 2021. Playing 35 percent of the snaps in the 15 games he played, he had 1,056 yards from scrimmage and was a top-30 fantasy running back regardless of scoring format.

Pollard had double-digit carries in eight games last year. He had at least 63 total yards in all of them, with 70 total yards and 74 total yards in games where he had nine touches. From Week 2-6, a five-game run with double digit carries and no matter the scoring format, he was a top-20 fantasy back.

With the targets vacated by the trade of Amari Cooper (104 last year), and the free agent departure of Cedrick Wilson’s 61 targets from last year, the Cowboys are unveiling a plan to use Pollard some as a slot receiver. So even if Elliott is healthy, or plays through an injury like he did last year, Pollard is line to see more time on the field.

Elliott missed one game in 2020. Pollard started in his place, Week 15 against the San Francisco 49ers, and had a nice outing (12 carries for 69 yards, two touchdown; six catches for 63 yards–nine targets). He was the RB2 for the week in standard and 0.5-point PPR, and the RB1 in full PPR.

Pollard’s current ADP across multiple sources is right in line with his finish last year, low-end RB3 range. But that feels like his floor for this year, as the Cowboys try to shape some future plans for their backfield with Elliott’s guaranteed money up after this season.

If Elliott misses any time, the sky is the limit for Pollard in those one-off weeks or over an extended stretch.

Bonus Dallas Cowboys Deep Fantasy Sleeper: WR Noah Brown