Sweet 16: Cowboys offensive skill player roster prediction
By Riley Donald
Running Backs
2020 (3): Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle
2021 Prediction (4): Ezekiel Elliott, Tony Pollard, Rico Dowdle, plus FB Sewo Olonilua
Elliott and Pollard are locked in at one and two on the running back depth chart and will be carrying nearly all of the load. Dowdle brings some special teams value on coverage units and an option if needed in the return game, which gives him this third spot.
His performance in the Hall of Fame Game was enough for me to consider this position group all but completely settled. Dowdle put up 43 yards on eight carries and provided some burst getting to the edge a few times. The running back group should be settled for the Dallas Cowboys.
I think the Cowboys go one extra in the backfield and carry Olonilua as a fullback on the roster this season as well. He has shown some ability to be a pass catcher already as he has a nice catch and run against the Steelers. Ezekiel Elliott has performed better with someone clearing the way and I think this is where Olonilua sneaks onto the Cowboys roster.
Nick Ralston, undrafted out of the University of Louisiana Lafayette and a member of the 2020 practice squad, could be a name to keep an eye on at the fullback position if things change due to injuries. I give Olonilua a slight edge as he saw the early action in the Hall of Fame Game, but the time within the Cowboys organization could help Ralston stick around and make things interesting.