Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott has seen an even split in workload with Rico Dowdle thus far in 2024. The veteran has carried the ball 16 times for 56 yards and a touchdown while reaching up four catches for 25 yards through two games. This week's matchup with Baltimore is not favorable, as the Ravens have surrendered the least rushing yards in the league through two games. Elliott will likely split work with Dowdle again, and will need a touchdown to pay off in fantasy. Look elsewhere for a running back option this week.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was limited to just 32 total yards in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the New Orleans Saints. Elliott recorded six rushes for 16 yards and added two catches on three targets for 16 yards. With the Saints scoring 35 points in the first half, the Cowboys were forced to abandon the run and shift to a pass-heavy game plan, significantly reducing Elliott's opportunities. The Cowboys struggled offensively, entering the red zone only three times, where Elliott is typically featured. Fantasy managers may want to consider other options in Week 3, as the Cowboys face a tough matchup against the Baltimore Ravens, who allowed just 27 rushing yards to the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 2.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 16 yards on six carries against the New Orleans Saints in Week 2. He also caught two passes for 16 yards during the game.

Fantasy Spin: Elliott has been sharing playing time with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn over the first two games but did not have much success against the Saints. He probably will receive a similar workload next week and can be avoided in fantasy leagues.

From TheHuddle

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott could be a touchdown-dependent fantasy play in Week 2 against New Orleans. In Week 1, Elliot rushed 10 times for 40 yards and a touchdown and caught two passes for nine yards against the Browns. His day was salvaged by a touchdown and he and Rico Dowdle basically alternated drives at Cleveland. The reality, however, is Elliott could be a TD machine in the high-powered Cowboys' offense and that could be the case in Week 2 against the Saints. His limited rushing opportunities in what looks like a shared backfield make him a somewhat risky proposition for fantasy purposes week in and week out. But until proven otherwise, the Ohio State product is a solid bet to find paydirt each week and could fall into the end zone multiple times in any given matchup. There are better options for volume at the position in fantasy but Elliott looks like he could be a decent RB2 play this week.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott led the Cowboys backfield in a Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. "Zeke" ran the ball 10 times, gaining 40 yards and scoring a touchdown. He added nine yards on two receptions, catching both of his targets. It was a mostly even split in the backfield between Elliott and Rico Dowdle, who ran eight times. This pattern will likely continue, but will get even more crowded once Dalvin Cook is up to speed and joins the backfield as well. It could be tough to choose what Cowboys running back will be fantasy relevant each week, but Week 2 against the New Orleans Saints could be more illuminating.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is a risky fantasy play in Week 1 despite having a strong on paper matchup against the Cleveland Browns. The Cowboys backfield is currently one of the murkier ones in the NFL, as Elliott, Rico Dowdle, Dalvin Cook, and even Deuce Vaughn are expected to see the ball. Elliott is a clear Jerry Jones favorite, but out of 49 qualified ball carriers last season, Elliott was 45th in missed tackles and 43rd in yards after contact. He's definitely not the guy he was when he used to play for the Cowboys, leaving him as an RB3 who is likely more of a floor play than anything close to a ceiling.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will use a running-back-by-committee approach in 2024, although the exact members of the committee backfield aren't entirely clear yet. At the very least, it should be veteran Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, with Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and rookie Nathaniel Peat competing for roster spots behind them. "Two or three [running backs], whatever it takes," McCarthy said. Elliott has the best credentials with 8,904 career rushing yards, but he won't be asked to do what he did in his first stint with Dallas, when he averaged 268.7 carries per season. He had career-lows in rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three) and carries (184) last year with the Patriots, and those numbers could dip further in 2024 back in Dallas in an RB committee.

From RotoBaller

Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott will likely be the starting running back this season, but head coach Mike McCarthy sounds certain that as many as three running backs will be handling work - even if he doesn't know who the member of the committee are yet. 'Two or three (running backs), whatever it takes. ... I think you have to pay attention. Whether it's two or whether it's three, frankly, to be honest with you, the players will determine that,' McCarthy told ESPN.

Fantasy Spin: It appears more likely than not that Elliott will handle the bulk of the early-down work, while Rico Dowdle operates as his primary backup. Deuce Vaughn should be considered the favorite to handle most of the passing-down work and could end up carving out more of a role in the offense as the summer progresses, as he has the skill set to be used like Tony Pollard before 2023 - even if he lacks the size.

From TheHuddle

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will use a running back by committee approach this season, unlike the feature back approach used during RB Ezekiel Elliott's first tour of duty with the team. McCarthy said that he has not seen any drop off in the way Elliott moves but thinks it wouldn't be fair to give him a workload similar to what he saw in the early seasons of his career.

Fantasy Spin: Elliott had the least productive season of his career with New England in 2023, with career lows in carries (184), rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three) and yards per carry (3.5). Although he is expected to have a larger role in the Dallas offense in 2024, his days as an RB1 fantasy option are likely over. Elliott is most likely to see the field in short-yardage and goal line situations, making him worthy of consideration as an RB3 in many fantasy leagues. RBs Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn are behind Elliott on the Cowboys' depth chart but their fantasy value remains uncertain, as it remains to be seen how many offensive snaps they will see in a typical game.

From TheHuddle

Updating previous reports, free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) officially signed a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys Tuesday, April 30. Financial terms weren't disclosed.

Fantasy Spin: Zeke figures to get short-yardage and goal line work, and he'll be an RB3 in fantasy with a boost in TD-only leagues.

From TheHuddle

The Dallas Cowboys are bringing back former Pro Bowl running back Ezekiel Elliott, according to NFL insider Tom Pelissero. This has been a developing story in recent weeks, and after Dallas did not pick a running back in the 2024 NFL Draft, their former first-round pick is back with America's Team. In seven seasons with Dallas, Elliott rushed 1,881 times for 8,262 yards and 68 touchdowns. The team let him walk last offseason and elevated Tony Pollard to the RB1 role, but Pollard was underwhelming and left for the Tennessee Titans during free agency this year. Although Zeke averaged a career-low 3.5 yards per carry last season, he could have RB2 value back in Dallas in one of the best offenses in the NFL. Assuming the Cowboys don't add more legitimate competition to the backfield, he should start, and Rico Dowdle should be viewed as a high-end fantasy handcuff in 2024.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) agreed to a undisclosed deal with the Dallas Cowboys Monday, April 29.

Fantasy Spin: Zeke figures to get short-yardage and goal line work, pegging him as an RB3 in fantasy.

From TheHuddle

The Dallas Cowboys could draft a running back on Day 2 of the 2024 NFL draft on Friday night with one of their three picks, but that choice won't change the expectation that free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott will return to Dallas' backfield in 2024 to complement and help mentor a rookie. Dallas Morning News' Michael Gehlken is reporting that Elliott's signing with the Cowboys is increasingly imminent. Elliott's agent met with Dallas on Wednesday, and the Cowboys have been connected with the 28-year-old RB throughout the offseason. The Cowboys lost Tony Pollard to free agency this offseason but have Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn. If Elliott were to return to Big D, he'll be in a complementary role and will be an RB3/flex, at best, in fantasy after putting up a career-low 3.5 yards per carry in 2023 with New England.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) appears increasingly likely to return to the Dallas Cowboys to complement and help mentor the rookie running back the team is expected to select at some during the 2024 NFL Draft on Friday, April 26.

Fantasy Spin: Based on recent comments from team owner Jerry Jones, the Cowboys want that rookie to be University of Texas RB Jonathon Brooks. Regardless of the player Dallas selects to replace Tony Pollard, Elliott figures to handle goal-line duties and perhaps the bulk of work on third down thanks to his ability to hold up in pass pro. While the days of Elliott being a fantasy RB1 are likely over, the aforementioned role may be enough to keep him in the flex conversation.

From TheHuddle

The Dallas Cowboys are currently meeting with free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott's representatives around the facility on Wednesday, a day before the start of the 2024 NFL draft, according to a source. There has been mutual interest from both sides in a reunion this offseason as the Cowboys look to bolster their running back position after losing Tony Pollard in free agency. As of right now, Dallas' RB room consists of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, Malik Davis, Royce Freeman and Snoop Conner. The 28-year-old Elliott had 184 carries for 642 yards (career-low 3.5 yards per carry) and three touchdowns while adding 51 catches for 313 yards and another two scores through the air in 17 games for the New England Patriots in 2023. At this point in his career, Zeke needs volume to be fantasy relevant, and that probably won't happen if he returns to Dallas.

From RotoBaller

Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott's (Patriots) representative is meeting with the Dallas Cowboys Wednesday, April 24, according to a source.

Fantasy Spin: The Cowboys do not have a clear starter at running back, so Elliott probably would have a big role if he decided to return to the Cowboys. Fantasy players can monitor the situation because Elliott could be at least a flex option if he starts in 2024.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent RB Ezekiel Elliott (Patriots) and the Dallas Cowboys have mutual interest in getting a deal done, according to sources Saturday, March 30.

Fantasy Spin: A deal hasn't been reached yet, but there seems to be interest. A reunion with Dallas would give Elliott fringe RB2 value with Rico Dowdle spelling him as a change-of-pace back.

From TheHuddle

Free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys may be headed toward a reunion. Elliott played for the New England Patriots during the 2023 NFL season, the only season of his nine-year career that he was not a member of the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas has a need at the running back position after they let Tony Pollard leave via free-agency, making Elliott a good fit to return to the team. Elliott ran for 642 yards and three touchdowns for the Pats last season while splitting the backfield with Rhamondre Stevenson. Depending on whether Dallas addresses the RB position in the NFL draft, Elliott would immediately have high-end RB3/flex value if he lands with his former team.

From RotoBaller