Cowboys need to listen to what Emmitt Smith just said about Ezekiel Elliott
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone and Ezekiel Elliott remains unsigned and the Dallas Cowboys might still be in the market for a running back even after drafting one last weekend. It seems some conversations are never meant to go away when it comes to the world of sports. It's an intriguing situation […]
The 2023 NFL Draft has come and gone and Ezekiel Elliott remains unsigned and the Dallas Cowboys might still be in the market for a running back even after drafting one last weekend. It seems some conversations are never meant to go away when it comes to the world of sports.
It's an intriguing situation for the Cowboys as they have a deep running back group right now but could still use someone like Zeke to carry part of the workload. Owner Jerry Jones even went on record post-draft saying the team hadn't ruled out a reunion with Elliott even though they released him earlier in the year.
That's why, on live TV, legendary running back Emmitt Smith explained why the team should still try to sign the former All-Pro. It's only fair to say he makes a compelling argument.
"I'm surprised that no one has touched him," Smith told Good Morning Football's Jason McCourty. "
The Cowboys' current situation at running back is more complex than first meets the eye. Pollard is clearly the No. 1 guy on the team but his health raises some significant questions. And while sixth-round draft pick Deuce Vaughn seems one of the most exciting rookies to watch in 2023, his size is a legitimate question mark for two reasons: Durability and pass protection.
Chances are Vaughn is poised for a situational RB3 role in which the Cowboys are able to get him out in space so he can show off his dynamic play-making skills. However, RB2 would likely fall on either Malik Davis or Rico Dowdle. And yet, Emmitt Smith questions if even they two are up to managing the workload.
"If the Cowboys bring him back, I think it would be a wise move," said the Hall of Famer. "We have to still see what Tony Pollard can do after coming off of that severe injury that he sustained last year. And we need to have not only a veteran running back because I know Malik Davis could do it but can he carry the load?"
This is where Smith hits the nail on the head. Prior to the NFL Draft, I argued the team should move on considering how Ezekiel Elliott's explosiveness has mightily declined over the last three years. But if Pollard's health is questionable enough for us to assume he's not going to be ready for the season, Emmitt's argument makes a ton of sense.
The Cowboys should listen if that's the case. After all, they've learned the lesson the hard way. Last year, Michael Gallup's season was underwhelming primarily because of a rehabbing knee after tearing his ACL in the 2021 season.
"I think you'd have to have someone like this Ezekiel Elliott back there to buy them enough time to get Tony Pollard back healthy and back on to the football field," concluded Smith.
He's probably right, depending on Pollard's health status. If not Zeke, the team should be looking at adding more depth.
