Dallas Cowboys: Just how high can Tony Pollard climb?

With the presence of Ezekiel Elliott on the Dallas Cowboys roster, just how high can fourth-round running back Tony Pollard climb this season?

There are not many positives to the current holdout of Dallas Cowboys All-Pro running back Ezekiel Elliott. The veteran is spending his days in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico while his teammates have now wrapped up the first phase of training camp, moving to Frisco, Texas following their second preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams this weekend.

Elliott is seeking to restructure his current contract with the Cowboys, despite having two years remaining on his rookie deal. The one positive his absence has afforded is the extra opportunities it has provided for the team’s depth chart of inexperienced running backs.

Outside of the recently re-signed Alfred Morris and Darius Jackson, none of the other running backs on the Cowboys’ current roster have registered a single meaningful carry in the NFL. Those names include Jordan Chunn plus rookies Tony Pollard and Mike Weber.

In the absence of Elliott, Pollard has emerged as the biggest beneficiary of his holdout. The 2019 fourth-round selection out of Memphis started in the Cowboys’ preseason opener against the San Francisco 49ers and promptly exited after the first series with the rest of the starters. It’s is believed Pollard is the defacto starter until Zeke returns, although Morris may have some impact on that status.

Still, the Cowboys have been very impressed by Pollard’s play. Cowboys’ owner and general manager Jerry Jones marveled at the young back’s confidence and inordinate understanding of what he does and can do. Jones also publicly professed that the rookie is capable of carrying the whole load, which is surely a shot across the bow of Elliott’s contract demands.

Regardless, based on his impressive play this offseason, Pollard does appear to possess the traits to be a difference-maker from the running back position as well as a special teams returner. Here’s what longtime Cowboys’ executive and current media analyst for NFL.com Gil Brandt had to say about the fourth-rounder after naming him one of his rookie risers recently.

"“Pollard is one of the few people benefitting from Ezekiel Elliott’s decision to stay away from the team while seeking a new contract extension, as Pollard is now receiving more practice reps … Pollard is in line to become an immediate contributor. Even after Elliott returns, Pollard could help shoulder some of the burden that is annually placed on Elliott, who led the NFL in touches in 2018 with 381.”"

When Elliott does return, how much playing time can someone like Pollard really expect? How high can the 22-year old rookie climb while sharing the backfield with Zeke? Well, there will undoubtedly be a ceiling. Last year, Elliott’s primary backup, Rod Smith, played just 150 total offensive snaps, which is less than 14 percent.

With Ezekiel Elliott entering his fourth season, the Dallas Cowboys undoubtedly want to lighten his load as he’s led the NFL in carries twice in the past three years. And the presence of the talented Tony Pollard may finally allow them to do so. Expect to see a concerted effort from the Cowboys to get Pollard more opportunities than Rod Smith got last year due to his playmaking ability, versatility as a receiver, and in an attempt to ultimately lengthen Elliott’s career.