Cowboys Fans Will Love Dak Prescott's Assessment of Ezekiel Elliott Heading into Season
By Peter Dewey
The 2020 NFL season was a disappointing one for Dallas Cowboys fans after Dak Prescott went down for the season, but there is some optimism with him returning in 2021.
However, Dallas needed to figure out how to get running back Ezekiel Elliott back on track. Zeke struggled mightily in 2020, as he ran for just 979 yards and six scores in 15 games. He averaged only 4.0 yards per carry, and with his massive contract, Elliott is going to need to prove his worth in 2021.
the $90,000,000 RB Ezekiel Elliott STILL does not have a single rushing TD since Dak Prescott was QB
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) December 27, 2020
after he couldn't get in on 2 carries inside the 10....
it's been 9 games without a rushing TD for the NFL's highest paid RB
running back Ezekiel Elliott's total cap hit the next two years is higher than Tom Brady's
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) June 3, 2021
Zeke's cap hit this year is higher than both Patrick Mahomes and Tom Brady...
...the quarterbacks that won the last three Super Bowls
While there is a lot of work to do before the 2021 season, the early returns on Elliott have been positive. Prescott praised his teammate for coming into camp ready to go this offseason.
"Zeke looks great," Prescott said. "He's in the best shape of his life. Looking fast. Everybody's seen the clips of him working out independently with his running back coach. His cuts, just how explosive he is. Excited to have a full year with him again and getting him healthy throughout the whole season."
The Cowboys certainly need Elliott locked in if they want to win the NFC East. Dallas (+135) is favored to win the division this year, but the Washington Football Team (+225) and New York Giants (+300) aren’t far behind on WynnBET.
Washington upgraded at quarterback with the signing of Ryan Fitzpatrick, and the Giants improved their weapons around Daniel Jones with the signing of Kenny Golladay.
Dallas needed to address its defense this offseason, and while the Cowboys drafted Micah Parsons, things are going to have to change drastically after last season’s defense allowed 6,183 yards.
If Elliott is going to get paid like one of the best players in the NFL, he’s going to have to become a focal point in the offense once again in 2021. While everyone took a step back last season with Andy Dalton under center, Elliott was unable to step up when his team needed to lean on the running game.
Now that he’s back in great shape and Prescott is under center, Elliott seems poised to deliver on the $90 million deal he signed in Dallas.