The Dallas Cowboys have had the league’s best rushing back over the last four seasons. With a reinforced passing game, there is a question of what exactly Ezekiel Elliott will be able to accomplish in 2020. Even with the addition of future No. 1 wideout CeeDee lamb and the idea of an increased workload for second-year back Tony Pollard, Elliott should still get his numbers in 2020.
In fact, The Huddle is predicting Elliott to surpass his 2019 totals for both total yards from scrimmage and touchdowns, seeing an 1,850-yard, 16 touchdown season for the fifth-year back. With 50 catches projected, he comes in as the second-ranked back behind Carolina’s Christian McCaffrey.
Elliott is a lock for a top-5 season so long as he remains healthy and not suspended. He rolled up 1.357 yards and 12 scores on 301 rushes and added 54 catches for 420 yards and two more TDs. The O-line returns intact other than replacing the center with another veteran. The rushing schedule was one of the tougher in 2019 and lines up as the 6th easiest. Virtually no downside here.
Elliott is now in an offense that will feature 11 personnel in the majority of open snaps. That will not only impact the pre-snap looks he receives, but also how the defense actually plays him, with having to account for Lamb and 1,100-yard receivers from 2019, Amari Cooper and Michael Gallup.
Per Pro Football Focus, Elliott averaged 5.1 yards per carry when rushing in 11 personnel, fifth-highest among the 23 NFL players with at least 80 eligible carries in 2019. Additionally, Elliott led the NFL in rushing yards from 11 personnel with 823 yards on 161 attempts. With WRs Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup and Lamb, defenses must respect the Cowboys’ ability to pass and generally will be forced to replace at least one linebacker with a defensive back, switching to a nickel or dime sub-package.
There are a few unknowns with head coach Mike McCarthy coming in, but he seems to be holding somewhat true to the edict that Kellen Moore will be in primary control of the Cowboys offense in 2020. Elliott himself seems giddy about all of the talent, on the offense and around the team, calling it the best roster he’s been on since coming to Dallas in 2016.
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