Key Takeaways:
– Ezekiel Elliott’s return to the Dallas Cowboys has drawn criticism, with some calling him the NFL’s most ‘overrated’ player.
– Elliott’s recent performance has paled in comparison to his early years in the league.
– Younger players such as Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn might offer more potential for the team.
– Despite being critiqued, Elliott is relatively low risk due to his modest salary.
Controversial Return of Ezekiel Elliott
Adding a hint of nostalgia to the Dallas Cowboys 2024 lineup, the return of running back Ezekiel Elliott is stirring up waves of controversy. The team has maintained a relatively unchanged squad for the off-season, but recent reports suggest that Elliot’s re-signing could cause unwarranted disruption to the team’s progress.
This claim stems from a May 21 article by Bleacher Report’s Alex Kay, who labeled Elliott as the most ‘overrated’ running back in the NFL. Kay argues Elliott’s contribution has declined over the years, highlighting that the Cowboys’ creation of a strong backfield has been a significant challenge in their struggle to reach the NFC Championship Game for the first time in three decades.
Analyzing Ezekiel Elliott’s Declining Performance
Ezekiel Elliott’s consistency began withering years before he parted ways with the Cowboys. His production couldn’t match up to his performance from 2016 to 2019, where he was a force to be reckoned with. For a player who was once the highest-paid running back in the NFL, Elliott’s decline is not a welcomed trend.
Despite participating in 15 games in 2020, Elliott failed to hit the 1000-yard rushing milestone. He managed to somewhat pull things back together the following year, with 1002 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns. However, this still fell short of his initial high standards leading to the departure from the Cowboys to the New England Patriots.
Elliott’s stint with the Patriots wasn’t commendable either. Across 17 appearances and five starts per game, Elliott averaged only 3.5 yards per carry, reaching a total of 642 yards on the ground.
Emergence of Young Potential Stars
Simultaneously, the Dallas Cowboys brace for a fresh wave of talent. Young running backs such as Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn have begun proving their mettle. In a bid to make the most of the franchise-tagged Tony Pollard last year, these two players meshed perfectly into the team’s structure.
Dowdle, in particular, has seen tremendous growth. After playing a minor role for three seasons, he finally demonstrated his capabilities in 2023, averaging 4.2 yards per carry and hitting 505 yards from scrimmage.
Vaughn, although a hot prospect at the 2023 NFL draft, failed to make headway in his rookie season. Are his struggling performances indicative of his potential downfall? 2024 is set to be a defining year for the young rookie.
Despite Ezekiel Elliott’s Overrated Accolades stands in the Cowboys’ Past
Critics must bear in mind that the Cowboys have re-signed Elliott for a one-year deal at a relatively low cost of $2 million, close to the league minimum as per Spotrac. This indicates that his low-risk, low-gain profile does not limit the Cowboys’ ability to experiment with other players. Despite the surrounding noise regarding Elliott, the Cowboys’ decision offers an opportunity for growth and improvement for the team.