Based on ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Dallas Cowboys and former working again Ezekiel Elliott have “mutual curiosity” in a reunion this offseason.
With that in thoughts, listed below are three the explanation why bringing Elliott again can be a superb transfer for the Cowboys.
Familiarity
Seeing Elliott rocking a New England Patriots helmet through the 2023 marketing campaign after donning the long-lasting Cowboys’ star for seven seasons simply by no means regarded proper. The Cowboys can proper that incorrect by letting the 28-year-old come residence, the place he ought to fittingly end off his NFL profession.
He is solely been away for a 12 months, so the overwhelming majority of the staff, gamers and workers included, is identical. Most significantly, Elliott already has a relationship with quarterback Dak Prescott, who referred to as him a brother and “greatest good friend,” after the Cowboys launched the previous first-rounder final offseason.
Except for making Elliott the No. 1 again, it is exhausting to discover a damaging in a return to Arlington.
Signing Elliott does not stop the Cowboys from drafting a RB
The Cowboys have seven picks on this 12 months’s NFL Draft, and even when Elliott returns, they’re nonetheless more likely to make investments a kind of alternatives in a working again. Dallas could fill different positions of want first however might discover a potential starting-caliber again within the third spherical and past.
The Cowboys will inevitably add on the place with solely 56 mixed carries between the 4 working backs presently on the roster. Why not Elliott, plus a rookie?
Dallas might goal Trey Benson (Florida State), Braelon Allen (Wisconsin), Tyrone Tracy Jr. (Purdue) and Jaylen Wright (Tennessee) within the draft.
Elliott would possibly nonetheless have one thing left within the tank
Except for an 80-yard explosion in Week 3 towards the New York Jets, Elliott had a sluggish begin with the Patriots. Over his first 9 video games, he averaged solely 30 yards off eight carries and two receptions for eight yards per contest. Nonetheless, whereas the uptick wasn’t dramatic, he did enhance down the stretch.
Over the ultimate eight video games, Elliott averaged extra carries (14) and yards per sport (46 yards) popping out of the backfield. In the meantime, he was way more concerned within the passing sport, recording two receiving touchdowns — one wanting a career-high — whereas averaging 5 receptions for 30 yards.
If the Cowboys do not ask him to hold the load, Elliott may very well be a constructive contributor subsequent to a rookie again.
