RB Ezekiel Elliott, LAC (3 Viewers)

[Faust]

Speaking Thursday, Cowboys EVP Stephen Jones confirmed Ezekiel Elliott will be active for Week 1.

Jones seemed like he wanted to go further and declare Elliott ready for his typical usage, but he stopped short. "He came in in really good shape. Hats off to him," Jones said. "I think he’s going to be ready to go. ... Barring something unforeseen, he’s ready to play against the Giants." So far, the only specific report we have gotten on Zeke's potential workload was NFL Network's Wednesday dispatch that he is slated for 20-25 "reps."

SOURCE: Todd Archer on Twitter

Sep 5, 2019, 5:00 PM ET

 

[metoo]

Damn Jerry. 

https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/sports/Zeke-Who-T-Shirt-Outshines-Contract-Extension-News-Conference-559497411.html

 

[Faust]

According to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, Ezekiel Elliott is expected to see a "significant workload" against the Giants in Week 1.

Early word out of Dallas was that Elliott would be limited to somewhere between 20-25 snaps coming off his summer-long holdout, but the Cowboys seem to be rethinking that as the fourth-year back is reportedly in "great shape" and made "an immediate positive impression" in his return to practice this week. Hall of Fame running back Marshall Faulk, who oversaw Zeke's workouts in Cabo, believes the two-time rushing champ is prepared for his "normal" workload, a sentiment shared by ESPN's Jordan Raanan, who reported that we will see "a lot" of Elliott in Week 1. Rookie Tony Pollard could see some change-of-pace work, but fantasy owners should be bracing for a heavy dose of Zeke in Sunday's opener.

SOURCE: CBS Sports

Sep 8, 2019, 8:48 AM ET

 

[Faust]

Updating an earlier report, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport expects Ezekiel Elliott to log 20-25 snaps against the Giants in Week 1.

This conflicts with previous reports from Jason La Canfora and Jordan Raanan, who both suggested Zeke would see closer to his usual workload on Sunday. It would make sense for the Cowboys to ease Elliott in coming off a five-week stint in Cabo, but apparently he hasn't missed a beat in practice this week and appears to be in excellent shape after spending the summer training with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk. The Cowboys don't want to risk a soft-tissue injury with their prized workhorse, but if the game is close, it's hard to envision Elliott taking a backseat to Tony Pollard in crunch time. Even with conflicting reports on his usage, Elliott still belongs in all fantasy lineups as a locked-and-loaded RB1.

SOURCE: Ian Rapoport on Twitter

Sep 8, 2019, 10:43 AM ET

 

[Faust]

Ed Werder @WerderEdESPN

HOF running back Marshall Faulk trained Ezekiel Elliott in Cabo and told me: “He’s ready for a Week 1 workload. He is in great shape and we upped his game conditioning.”

 

[Faust]

Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said the team will "be mindful of how little practice time" Ezekiel Elliott had this summer.

Elliott totaled 63 yards on 11 touches in Week 1 but only played 54 percent of Dallas' offensive snaps. The league's highest-paid back claims he's ready for his "normal workload", but Garrett said the team will 'still' be mindful of Elliott's reps, essentially hinting at another 60/40 split with rookie Tony Pollard being involved off the bench. With the Cowboys being listed as 5-point road favorites, it's certainly plausible Elliott's featured in the first half only to give way to Pollard down the stretch. Zeke remains a fringe top-10 option as long as he's splitting carries.

SOURCE: Todd Archer on Twitter

Sep 11, 2019, 4:49 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Ezekiel Elliott handled 23 carries for 111 yards and one touchdown, chipping in two catches for nine yards in the Cowboys' Week 2 victory over Washington.

Elliott put this one away in the fourth with an explosive 27-yard run on third-and-five to seal Dallas' second straight win. Although the former holdout split touches evenly with rookie Tony Pollard in Week 1, Elliott was the clear-cut starter against the Redskins, out-touching the fourth-rounder 25-5. With Elliott presumably back on an every-down schedule moving forward, he's undeniably a top three option at his position next Sunday against Miami's tanking defensive trenches.

Sep 15, 2019, 4:02 PM ET

 

[Faust]

Cowboys OC ready to give Ezekiel Elliott full workload

 

[Faust]

Ezekiel Elliott is expected to see his "normal workload" in Week 3 against Miami.

The Cowboys have been limiting Elliott's reps coming off his 40-day holdout. He played 54 percent and 77 percent of snaps in Weeks 1 and 2. Elliott should regain his every-down status this week, but it's possible he's rested in the second half of a projected blowout. Elliott is our No. 4 running back play for Week 3.

SOURCE: Dallas Morning News

Sep 21, 2019, 10:11 AM ET

 

[Truebluey]

Elliott is our No. 4 running back play for Week 3.

Yeah?  Against MIA?  Who are the 3 RBs you have ranked higher?? (Not talking to Faust obviously).

 

[Jed]

Yeah?  Against MIA?  Who are the 3 RBs you have ranked higher?? (Not talking to Faust obviously).

They probably are reasoning it’s going to be so bad that Zeke gets rested. 

 

[Dizzy]

They probably are reasoning it’s going to be so bad that Zeke gets rested. 

This.

Keep in mind you only need 7 to beat MIA.

 

[Faust]

Tony Pollard, Ezekiel Elliott give defenses even more to think about

 

[Ilov80s]

Good calls on the Zeke rests play

 

[Ilov80s]

What’s he do this week?

 

[rockaction]

18-105 and a touchdown.

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

What’s he do this week?

I think he'll have a pretty big week myself.  Prime Time Sunday night game against another top team.  NOS is statistically good against RBs this season but have played HOU, LAR and SEA - none of those teams have a prolific run team this season.  Seems like one of those big Zeke games.  They're 3-0 with a lot of passing.  I think this is the game that Zeke dominates.

 

[Ilov80s]

I think he'll have a pretty big week myself.  Prime Time Sunday night game against another top team.  NOS is statistically good against RBs this season but have played HOU, LAR and SEA - none of those teams have a prolific run team this season.  Seems like one of those big Zeke games.  They're 3-0 with a lot of passing.  I think this is the game that Zeke dominates.

Thinking 19/102/2 and 3/36?

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

Thinking 19/102/2 and 3/36?

24/140/1 and 5/65/1

 

[Faust]

Ezekiel Elliott had 18 carries for 35 yards and a touchdown in Week 4 against the Saints.

Elliott never really got going in this one, with a long run of nine yards. He had more success in the pass game, catching 6-of-7 targets for 30 yards. Elliott's touchdown came at the goal-line and salvaged his night. Through four weeks, Elliott is on pace for 219 carries, 1,161 total yards, and six touchdowns. Elliott will remain a top-10 option against the Packers in Week 5.

Sep 29, 2019, 11:40 PM ET

 

[rockaction]

18-105 and a touchdown.

Only off by seventy yards!

 

[voiceofunreason]

Only off by seventy yards!

Nailed the 18 carries, all bout the volume.

 

[rockaction]

Nailed the 18 carries, all bout the volume.

Nailed it!  Lol. I drafted Zeke second, and like most people, probably would have rather had the third or fourth picks right now. 

 

[voiceofunreason]

Nailed it!  Lol. I drafted Zeke second, and like most people, probably would have rather had the third or fourth picks right now. 

The big rushing games will come. Really needs to start catching the ball though.

 

[rockaction]

The big rushing games will come. Really needs to start catching the ball though.

Yeah, I think they will. I'd like to see him catching more passes, too. That said, I hope Tyron Smith wasn't injured too badly tonight.

NO has a very underrated run defense.

 

[Faust]

Ezekiel Elliott took poor game personally, aims to rebound vs. Packers

 

[Faust]

Ezekiel Elliott collected 62 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries while adding two catches for 29 yards on four targets Sunday in the Cowboys’ Week 5 loss to Green Bay.

Sunday's game script called for a heavy pass volume (Dak Prescott attempted 29 passes with Dallas trailing in the second half), which obviously worked against Zeke as his 14 touches matched a season-low. Still, the two-time rushing champ looked spry out of the Cowboys' backfield, rumbling to 5.2 yards per carry while also adding a goal-line touchdown (his fourth of the season) for good measure. This wasn't the blowup game fantasy owners had in mind for Elliott, though a date with the winless Jets in Week 6 could be just what the doctor ordered.

Oct 6, 2019, 8:12 PM ET

 

[Truebluey]

Time to start worrying? Nowhere near Top Ten yet this year. Compared to CMac... ugh

 

[Dizzy]

Time to start worrying? Nowhere near Top Ten yet this year. Compared to CMac... ugh

All that money weighing him down?

 

[Rhythmdoctor]

You know the big games are coming.  He would have beasted today had the Cowboys not got in the hole.  He had a good YPC and a tuddy.  The only worrisome part is the lack of action in the pass game.

 

[shadyridr]

All that money weighing him down?

He cant hand the ball off to himself. 4.5 YPA. On pace for only 272 rushing attempts and 42 receptions. I just don't understand why you give a RB all that money and then not use him.

 

[Bayhawks]

He cant hand the ball off to himself. 4.5 YPA. On pace for only 272 rushing attempts and 42 receptions. I just don't understand why you give a RB all that money and then not use him.

New OC; new philosophy?  Wasn't a big deal first 3 games, because they were winning & the new offense was effective & exciting.  Have to imagine that someone (Jerruh) will have something to say about that if the trends of the last 2 games continue.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

New OC; new philosophy?  Wasn't a big deal first 3 games, because they were winning & the new offense was effective & exciting.  Have to imagine that someone (Jerruh) will have something to say about that if the trends of the last 2 games continue.

I think it was more that he was getting back into game shape the first few games and these last two got out of hand pretty quick so they had to abandon the run.

 

[Bayhawks]

I think it was more that he was getting back into game shape the first few games and these last two got out of hand pretty quick so they had to abandon the run.

IDK.  Maybe you're right, but it seemed like last night, the reason that game got out of hand was because of the "new" offense.  Seemed like they were throwing it a lot more than they ran, and Dak kept throwing it to the wrong team.

 

[shadyridr]

I think it was more that he was getting back into game shape the first few games and these last two got out of hand pretty quick so they had to abandon the run.

The Saints game got out of hand? They lost 12-10 and actually were winning after the 3Q.

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

The Saints game got out of hand? They lost 12-10 and actually were winning after the 3Q.

Youre right.... That night Zeke was getting stuffed in the backfield. They got out-coached by Peyton (who knows the Cowboys offense as well as they do)

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

IDK.  Maybe you're right, but it seemed like last night, the reason that game got out of hand was because of the "new" offense.  Seemed like they were throwing it a lot more than they ran, and Dak kept throwing it to the wrong team.

1/3 ints were Daks fault. 

 

[humpback]

He cant hand the ball off to himself. 4.5 YPA. On pace for only 272 rushing attempts and 42 receptions. I just don't understand why you give a RB all that money and then not use him.

I think you answered your own question- they owe him a ton of money over the next few years, they want to try and make sure his wheels don't fall off before they get there.

 

[Bayhawks]

1/3 ints were Daks fault. 

OK, but it's really hard to throw an INT if you're running the ball.  Run more (especially when you have one of the best RBs in the league & it's working), and there's a lot smaller chance you'll throw an INT. 

 

[STEADYMOBBIN 22]

OK, but it's really hard to throw an INT if you're running the ball.  Run more (especially when you have one of the best RBs in the league & it's working), and there's a lot smaller chance you'll throw an INT. 

Agreed. 

 

[Dizzy]

He cant hand the ball off to himself. 4.5 YPA. On pace for only 272 rushing attempts and 42 receptions. I just don't understand why you give a RB all that money and then not use him.

These are my thoughts.

Not a Cowboys fan, but I thought the priority should have been to lock up the Prescott to Cooper combination.

Now, as others have pointed out, you break the bank on the position with highest risk of injury and are reminded every week by the Rams why this is  a bad idea.

 

[The Frankman]

Ezekiel Elliott rushed 28 times for 105 yards and one score, sprinkling in five catches for 47 yards in Dallas' Week 6 loss to the Jets.

Elliott's now out-touched rookie Tony Pollard 71-7 in Dallas' past three games and, perhaps more importantly, averaged 5.3 targets in that stint. His line would've been even better had he held on to a would-be touchdown catch inside the 20 during the third quarter. Either way, it's clear Elliott's bell-cow role is back for the foreseeable future and any missed time for Amari Cooper (quad) only enhances Zeke's weekly floor. Philadelphia's defense has been a true pass funnel on the year but Elliott warrants top-four status at his position in Week 7 anyhow.

 

[rockaction]

So snap counts for a week or two and a playoff schedule that is Bears/Rams/Eagles.  Non factor or does he jump up to a #1/#2 pick for those who haven't drafted?

I should have paid more attention to this. Took him second. Would have been much happier with McCaffrey or Chubb, my next choices. Yeah, I know Kamara's a demon. But my top four was just a little different. 

 

[Ack88]

These are my thoughts.

Not a Cowboys fan, but I thought the priority should have been to lock up the Prescott to Cooper combination.

Now, as others have pointed out, you break the bank on the position with highest risk of injury and are reminded every week by the Rams why this is  a bad idea.

I disagree.

Cowboys should let Dak walk. He's not even close to being worth 30 million a year, not close at all. Dak is fine when everything else is working well. He simply is not good enough to elevate a team when any other component part of the Cowboys is functioning at less than an ideal level.

Zeke is elite, Cooper is elite, Dak is a tick above JAG status. 

Cowboys will finish 3rd in the NFC East this year.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

I disagree.

Cowboys should let Dak walk. He's not even close to being worth 30 million a year, not close at all. Dak is fine when everything else is working well. He simply is not good enough to elevate a team when any other component part of the Cowboys is functioning at less than an ideal level.

Zeke is elite, Cooper is elite, Dak is a tick above JAG status. 

Cowboys will finish 3rd in the NFC East this year.

I agreed with everything you said until the last sentence. 

 

[davearm]

I disagree.

Cowboys should let Dak walk. He's not even close to being worth 30 million a year, not close at all. Dak is fine when everything else is working well. He simply is not good enough to elevate a team when any other component part of the Cowboys is functioning at less than an ideal level.

Zeke is elite, Cooper is elite, Dak is a tick above JAG status. 

Cowboys will finish 3rd in the NFC East this year.

Dak is Jay Cutler 2.0: you have to vastly overpay to keep him, but with a team around him that's built to win, starting over from square one at QB is an even worse option.

I mean really, how could they justify paying everyone else and then going with a rookie or a Joe Flacco type at the most important position on the field?

 

[Ack88]

I agreed with everything you said until the last sentence. 

The whole Giants vibe is different with Jones as QB. They will finish ahead of the Cowboys.

After the Giants beat the Cardinals and the Cowboys lose to the Eagles they will be tied.

 

[Dizzy]

Cowboys should let Dak walk.

Who are you replacing him with?

 

[Ack88]

Give me Mariota for year and draft one- Fromm, Burrow, or Eason.

From a real football (not fantasy lens), MM is only a slight downgrade.

If you were to flip the teams that they played on, my opinion is the overall records would be identical.

 

[Wise Old Owl]

Give me Mariota for year and draft one- Fromm, Burrow, or Eason.

From a real football (not fantasy lens), MM is only a slight downgrade.

If you were to flip the teams that they played on, my opinion is the overall records would be identical.

I don't know if you have watched MM recently. Dak isn't worth big money but Mariota was probably the worst starter in the league week 1.