Dallas Cowboys: Running Game Resurgence

The Dallas Cowboys have not had a balanced offensive game plan, due to the running backs, since early in Ezekiel Elliott’s career. Last year we witnessed Tony Pollard take over the lead running back role with mediocre results.

Pollard posted 1,005 rushing yards and 6 touchdowns while averaging 4.0 yards. The second and third-string running backs were Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. These two combined for 401 yards and 2 touchdowns.

The entire 2023 running back unit was held to 1,401 yards and 8 touchdowns while averaging 82.7 yards per game.

The total yards were good for 13th in the league, and the touchdowns were 16th. While these numbers are middle of the pack when it comes to 2023 teams, the team missed out on several touchdowns in the redzone.

Could a familiar face help us raise these rushing totals?

Ezekiel Elliott

The old workhorse is back for another go in Dallas. After a year-long hiatus in New England, we will see Elliott back in the uniform that started his career.

The Ezekiel Elliott of old may be long gone, but what we do have is a running back who can find the endzone. Last year in New England, Elliott had 3 touchdowns and 642 rushing yards. These numbers came from only five starts.

What if he had 16 starts on the season last year? Elliott could have been around 10 touchdowns and would have been close to another 1,000-yard season.

In his last year in Dallas, Elliott had 12 rushing touchdowns and 876 yards after seeing a reduced role as the thunder to Pollard’s lighting.

This year, depending on his workload, we could see Zeke touch 1,000 yards and 9-10 touchdowns as he will be in a much better offense with an actual passing game. Having a good passing game will lighten the box for Ezekiel Elliott and allow him to get to the second level more easily than he was able to with the New England Patriots.

The Cowboys could see a resurgence from an old friend, and what a welcomed resurgence it would be.

Rico Dowdle

Rico Dowdle is entering his fourth year with the Dallas Cowboys, and he could potentially have a more significant role as we transition to more of a running back-by-committee approach.

Last year, Dowdle had 89 attempts for 316 yards, 4.1 yards a carry, and 2 touchdowns. With a larger role, we may see these numbers increase.

If the running game could generate 600 yards and 4-5 touchdowns from Dowdle, it would be a great addition to the offense. These numbers and the ability to go back and forth between Dowdle and Elliott will leave the backs more rested for a playoff run.

Rico Dowdle demonstrated potential last season with his limited opportunities. He exhibited determination and toughness, attributes crucial for this offense.

Deuce Vaughn

Deuce could be the third back this season.

The Cowboys will see what they have in the young man when he gets a larger role in training camp. We have already heard he has been running routes with the receivers. This could be an added element to his game and help him get on the field more.

Last season, Deuce Vaughn did not see the field very often, so we were unable to get a good glimpse of what he could bring to the team.

In college, Vaughn was a lightning rod and the featured back in the Kansas State offense.

If the Cowboys can figure out how to use him, the team could see a Darren Sproles type of player. Sproles was a small back from Kansas State and carved out a great career in the NFL.

If Deuce Vaughn can get to this level, the team will have found another gem.

Royce Freeman

Royce Freeman has the potential to be a power-back. However, he has not come close to putting up numbers good enough to stick with any team. The Cowboys may feel the same way, but with the uncertainty of the running game, he could get some touches if he makes it through training camp.

In his six-year career, he has averaged 3.8 yards per carry and has 10 touchdowns. His best year was with the Denver Broncos in his rookie season where he had 521 yards and 5 touchdowns. He could show up in camp and be a surprise addition to the regular season roster.

The running-back-by-committee approach could pay dividends for the Dallas Cowboys next season.

They have Ezekiel Elliott back to go along with some young running backs. I believe the running backs will start the season even in touches, but I can see Rico Dowdle taking the lead-back role.

More touches for Dowdle could give a great result and add to the offensive game plan.

Given Elliott’s goalline and tough yardage situations, we will see the redzone scoring increase dramatically.

The running back resurgence will be seen this year for the Cowboys, leaving opposing defenses baffled, and I, for one, cannot wait to see this running game in full effect in 2024.