Ezekiel Elliott is back, but the Dallas Cowboys still need a running back to take the lead

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By David Moore

1:38 PM on Apr 29, 2024 CDT

Three words come to mind when looking at the running backs on the Cowboys roster heading into May.

More jet sweeps.

A team desperate to make a splash at the position going into the draft failed to generate a ripple. The Cowboys selected eight players over three days and ignored the position entirely.

Their response was to come back Monday and finalize a reunion with Ezekiel Elliott.

The move makes sense to shore up the short-yardage and goal-line deficiencies that sprouted in the wake of Elliott's departure last season. The veteran back can get still get those tough, dirty yards on a consistent basis. He's good in pass protection and a positive, upbeat presence in the locker room.

Related: Dallas Cowboys agree to terms with running back Ezekiel Elliott

Teammates and coaches love him.

Now ask yourself this: Does this move make sense if you install Elliott as the lead back of a committee, a role owner Jerry Jones suggested the veteran is still capable of handling?

No.

Elliott isn't that guy at this stage of his career. But he's the lead back by default at the moment.

This is eerily reminiscent of the franchise's approach to the wide receiver position in 2018 when it moved on from Dez Bryant. The Cowboys were defiantly insistent that a receiver-by-committee configuration would take up the slack as it cobbled together a room with veterans Allen Hurns and Deonte Thompson.

After a 3-4 start in which Dak Prescott averaged 202.4 yards passing, the club conceded its flawed assessment and spent a first-round pick to acquire Amari Cooper via trade.

Fun fact. Guess who led the Cowboys in receptions that season?

Elliott.

Which brings us back to those jet sweeps. Receivers CeeDee Lamb and KaVontae Turpin combined for 223 yards rushing and three touchdowns on that play last season. It may become an even bigger part of the playbook going forward.

Related: Where Ezekiel Elliott ranks among Cowboys' all-time running backs

No one is positioned to assume the lead role in an effective running back-by-committee approach. Hoping one emerges from this group isn't a viable strategy.

Adding Elliott to the mix is a solid move. The problem comes if Dallas doesn't do anything else at the position.

The Cowboys aren't done at running back. If the club doesn't do anything else before the season starts, it will be forced to do so once it's underway just as it did nearly six years ago at receiver.

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