Dallas Cowboys: Is Ezekiel Elliott going for 2,000 yards in 2018?

With an emphasis on the Dallas Cowboys running game this season, can Ezekiel Elliott get over 2,000 rushing yards in 2018?

In 2018, the Dallas Cowboys want to run the ball and run it often. The strength of the team depends on arguably the league’s best offensive line and running back Ezekiel Elliott.

With the loss of some of the Cowboys all-time greats, Zeke will have a huge workload and the chance for rushing over 2,000 rushing yards.

2,000 rushing yards is that magical milestone that we rarely witness in the NFL. In fact, this level of rushing prowess has only been achieved seven times in the history of the league. Some of the league’s best like O.J. Simpson, Eric Dickerson, Barry Sanders, Terrell Davis, Jamal Lewis, Chris Johnson, and Adrian Peterson have hit this historic milestone.

Now that Dez Bryant and Jason Witten are gone, the Cowboys have to move the ball aggressively and efficiently in order to keep their opposing defenses at bay. The team is going in a “Dak friendly” direction and a great running game will help Cowboys’ quarterback Dak Prescott. This offense needs Zeke to be fed constantly if they are going to make waves this season.

Elliott was the league leader in rushing his rookie year with 1,631 yards in 15 games. Last year, even though Zeke was suspended for six games, he still rushed for 983 yards. At 98.3 yards per game, he was on pace for 1,573 yards.

At the rate Elliott has been running the last two seasons, he would need an extra three to four hundred yards to hit the 2000 yard mark. At his career average of 4.6 yards per carry, he would need a massive 434 carries to hit the mark. That’s more than the mark of 416 held by Larry Johnson in 2006.

The Cowboys should see an improved offensive line this year with the addition of former All- American Conner Williams inserted at left guard. Williams, who was a steal in the draft, is a mauler and is known for his tenacity in the run game. In addition, La’el Collins should be much more comfortable in his second year at right tackle.

Offensive coordinator Scott Linehan is not new to pounding the rock. In 2014 he gave running back DeMarco Murray 392 carries and many would argue Elliott is a far better runner. In fact, if Elliott averaged 5.1 yards per carry like he did his rookie year, and received the 392 carries Murray did, he would finish right at 1,999 yards.

The NFL record for most rushing yards in a season 2,105 held by Eric Dickerson back in 1984. Ezekiel Elliott is only 23-years old and the tread on his tires is just starting to stick. With an emphasis on the run game and an improved offensive line, 2,105 might be safe but Zeke could join the illustrious 2,000-yard club this season.