The Dallas Cowboys lost a significant portion of their offense when they released Ezekeil Elliott this past spring. While Elliott faded in rushing efficiency, he was a key part in the Cowboys’ goal-to-go situations. As Dallas’ top short-yardage back, he leaves behind an Ewok-sized hole in the Cowboys red-zone offense.
It’s possible someone like Malik Davis or Hunter Luepke could assume the short-yardage role in 2023, but there aren’t assurances those two will even be on the roster, let alone be up to the task. The Cowboys need to build contingency plans in case one of their RBs can’t fill Elliott’s shoes. Dak Prescott could be that contingency plan.
In most areas, Tony Pollard appears up to the task at RB1. He’s seen his workload steadily increase since he entered the league in 2019 and he’s maintained his explosive play rate in the process.
But at 6-foot, 209 pounds, Pollard isn’t built to consistently pound the rock in high-leverage, short-yardage situations. He’s more than capable of playing between the tackles and converting first downs but he’s not on the level of Elliott in obvious short-yardage situations.
Since his nightmarish ankle injury in 2020, the Cowboys have been apprehensive to use Prescott as a runner. As discussed earlier in the offseason, Dallas’ reluctance to set Prescott loose on scrambles is capping how great this offense could be.
Using Prescott as a runner doesn’t have to be dangerous. They just need to make sure No. 4 knows when to press for more and when to give up to avoid contact. In high-leverage situations like in the red zone and especially goal-to-go, Prescott’s legs could be the difference between a touchdown and a field goal making the reward well-worth the added risk.
In 2022, Prescott only had three goal-to-go carries. That tragically small number ranked him just 23rd amongst QBs last season. While no one will argue Prescott is an elite run threat, he’s certainly better than average and has no business being in the bottom third.
There should be apprehension in using Prescott in “rolling maul” situations like the Eagles do with Jalen Hurts (it’s a lower leg injury waiting to happen) but various dive plays or zone-read options should be on the table.
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