NFL Free Agency predictions: How the Cowboys will address RB conundrum

Going into the offseason, one question remains for the Dallas Cowboys. Who will be their starting running back for the 2023 NFL season?

With the score tied 6-6 in the NFC Divisional Round, Dak Prescott dumped off a check-down pass across the middle to Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. After a gain of eight yards, Pollard was tackled by Jimmie Ward of the San Francisco 49ers and didn’t return to the game.

During the 2022 regular season, the reasonable belief was that the Cowboys should have made Pollard their starting running back over former Top 5 pick Ezekiel Elliott. Yes, the football world has moved to analytics but sometimes all it takes to see things is simply common sense. In this case, it’s that Pollard is the best running back in the Dallas offense.

But now Pollard is scheduled to be a free agent this offseason and the team has a decision to make regarding Elliott’s contract. So with NFL free agency and the offseason looming, what are the Cowboys going to do?

NFL Free Agency Predictions: What will the Cowboys do at RB?

When Elliott first entered the NFL he was an elusive back that the Cowboys could rely on for check-down passes out of the backfield. That has changed. Elliott is now a downhill runner that can’t make the first defender miss, and that was a big part of his game early in his career. It made Elliott fun to watch — but not anymore.

During the 2022 season, Elliott had 17 receptions, the fewest in his career while Pollard had 39 receptions tying his career high. Pollard also had his first 1,000-yard season on almost 40 fewer Carries than Elliot.

This past season was filled with career lows for Elliott. He averaged 3.8 yards per carry, which is a career-low while rushing for 876 yards which is also a career-low.

Do players have off years? Yes. But the numbers and eye test say we’ve already seen the best of Elliott and that it’s time for the Cowboys to move their former star running back, or change his role.

Yes, Pollard suffered a significant leg injury but I would move forward with him as my starting back, especially with early reports stating that he’ll be ready by or before training camp. Yes, that will require the franchise tag and potentially a new longer-term deal in place.

Then the question would remain, would Elliott be willing to become the Cowboys second string running back? Would Dallas be willing to pay his cap number if he did? Would he ask for his release? With Elliott’s decline and Pollard’s contract uncertainty, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Cowboys selected a running back in the first round of this year’s NFL draft, or at least by Day 2.

What’s the easiest way for the Cowboys to solve their running back problems, though? Get a deal done and move forward with Tony Pollard as their starting back. His performance on the field has proven he’s worth it.