Five Dallas Cowboys who could have a comeback year in 2020
By Matt Aaron
Ezekiel Elliott, RB
Elliott is probably the anomaly on this list. The Pro Bowl running back hasn’t seen his production fallen off dramatically.
Nevertheless, it has slipped a little in recent years, especially in 2019. He led the league in rushing as a rookie in 2016, and again in 2018. He would have been the leading rusher in 2017 as well, if it weren’t for his six-game suspension for misconduct.
But since then, his numbers have slipped a little. He rushed for 1,631 yards in 2016, and 1,434 in 2018. He was down to 1,357 last year. Worse though is his declining yards-per-rush average, down to 4.5 from a peak of 5.1 as a rookie.
Elliott even admitted he wasn’t the best running back in the league last year, something he’s never said before. However, despite the slight falloff, Elliott will still be only 25 when the season begins. Can he resume his place as the best overall running back in the league?