Why the Cowboys should consider trading Ezekiel Elliott

The Dallas Cowboys have tough decisions to make regarding their salary cap space situation. The Cowboys currently have cap space of approximately $20.1 million heading into the 2021 season according to spotrac.com. However, that is without signing quarterback Dak Prescott.

As a result, a big question remains if the Cowboys should look to trade someone like running back Ezekiel Elliott. After a poor 2020 season for Elliott, would Dallas consider trading away the three-time Pro Bowler?

Last year, Elliott posted career-lows in rushing yards (979), average yards per carry (4.0), and rushing yards per game (65.3). But he did tie one career-high. Unfortunately, it was for fumbles (6).

Is Elliott a solid running back in the league? Yes, of course, he is. He’s recorded 6,384 rushing yards and a combined 56 touchdowns in only five seasons.

But Elliott’s contract creates plenty of trouble for Dallas. In 2021, Zeke has a scheduled cap hit of $13.7 million which can be used elsewhere.

Don’t forget, the Cowboys likely have to pay Prescott anywhere from $36-40 million a year, so trading Elliott can actually benefit them in that effort. They might then be more willing to pay Dak knowing that they have the money to do so.

Why trade Ezekiel Elliott if he’s a top running back?

For starters, the Cowboys would free up so much salary cap space. Elliott has the fifth-highest cap hit on the team, which accounts for 6.51 percent of Dallas’ total space. This is way too much for a running back.

Additionally, the running back position is the easiest spot to replace. They usually don’t play at an elite level for a long time either. By the age of 28, running backs tend to be on the decline with younger backs replacing them. Elliott turns 26 in July but is also entering his sixth season in the NFL.

This appears to be what’s happening in Dallas with running back Tony Pollard. Last season, Pollard looked like the faster and better running back than Elliott. Could this have been due to his age?

It sure is possible because Pollard is two years younger and is newer to the NFL, meaning that he has fresher legs. Even when Elliott missed the Week 15 game against the San Francisco 49ers, Pollard filled in quite nicely. He finished the game with 18 touches for 132 total yards and two touchdowns.

At this moment, it became evident that Pollard can take the lead in Dallas. Even when Elliott played, Pollard still averaged 4.3 yards per rushing attempt on 101 carries.

Are running backs that important?

Running backs don’t get the love that they deserve because their career tends to fade quickly. They also can’t lead a team themselves and aren’t a major reason why teams are great.

Christian McCaffrey of the Carolina Panthers, Saquon Barkley of the New York Giants, Dalvin Cook of the Minnesota Vikings, and Joe Mixon of the Cinncinatti Bengals are such examples of that. These running backs have shown why they are elite in the league. However, the one thing that they all have in common is their lack of postseason appearances.

McCaffrey had 1,000+ rushing yards and 1,000+ receiving yards in 2019. However, the Panthers finished just 5-11. In 2020, Cook had his most productive season in the NFL rushing for over 1,550 yards and 16 touchdowns. Nevertheless, the Vikings went 7-9.

This proves that running backs aren’t as important as we think they are. Elliott is an elite running back, but the Cowboys might be better off without him.

Additionally, the last 12 Super Bowl winners dating back to 2009 haven’t had a top-of-the-line running back. The highest-paid Super Bowl-winning running back made just $2 million, Leonard Fournette in 2020 with the Tampa Buccaneers and Ray Rice in 2012 with the Baltimore Ravens. Every other running back that won the Super Bowl made less than that.

Running backs who make a lot of money like Elliott haven’t seen the Super Bowl recently, which draws questions around the league. Do you need an elite running back to win the Super Bowl? The short answer to that question is no.

The Dallas Cowboys would benefit from trading Ezekiel Elliott for a solid draft pick and sticking with Tony Pollard for the future. It seems like money is tight in Dallas and trading away Elliott can free up monies to spend on their defense or pay their star quarterback. Maybe then, the Cowboys can finally get a deal done with Dak Prescott.