As the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL draft, Ezekiel Elliott arrived in Dallas with high hopes and a lot of talent. After a brief stint with the New England Patriots, he returned to his hometown team, determined to prove that he still had what it takes to be a dominant force on the field. But as he enters his eighth season with the Cowboys, many are questioning whether he has lost some of that spark and whether he can regain his former glory.
Like all running backs, years of constant play can take a toll on a player’s speed and agility. In 2019, after holding out from training camp, it became clear that Elliott wasn’t quite the same dynamic player he had been before. His yards per carry average dipped below 3.5, raising concerns about his effectiveness on the field. However, with no new running backs drafted by the Cowboys, Elliott remains the team’s RB1 – facing only mild competition from Rico Dowdle.
The narrative of Elliott’s comeback is certainly intriguing, but will it truly improve the Cowboys as a team? With so much focus on him in Dallas during this upcoming season – when success is crucial for making a playoff run – all eyes will be on Zeke and his ability to recapture that former greatness on the field.
