3 former Cowboys players the team could still sign in free agency

1. Ezekiel Elliott

Yes this sounds like a broken record. Arguably Dallas' biggest casualty this offseason was saying goodbye to one of their fan favorites. Ezekiel Elliott quickly became the next great Cowboys running back, leading the league in rushing as a rookie. Along with Dak Prescott's arrival, life changed in Dallas.

Elliott stumbled in 2017 due to a suspension but regained his 2016 form in 2018. He again led the league in rushing and helped Dallas advance to the divisional round past the Seattle Seahawks in the wild card round. Elliott signed a massive deal before the 2019 season and had another Pro Bowl year, but the wheels began to come off.

In 2020, he failed to crack 1,000 yards and while 2021 produced a better season statistically, the writing was on the wall. Tony Pollard quickly emerged as the favorite back and in 2022 received more carries. The move paid off as Dallas' offense was more explosive. Elliott was released in April and has yet to be signed by another team.

Most believed Jerry could resign Elliott to a much lower contract, but the needle has not moved in that direction according to most at this point. The Cowboys are moving forward with Pollard, they signed Ronald Jones, Malik Davis is coming back and Deuce Vaughn has been the talk of the draft class. There seems to be no space for Elliott in the Cowboys' running back room.

One of the biggest scenarios Dallas could potentially bring back Elliott is if one of their backs, most likely Pollard or Jones, goes down with an injury at the start of camp. Elliott could be a plug and play guy Mike McCarthy knows is familiar with the offense. The former Ohio State Buckeye still has some life in him and with no teams chomping at the bit to sign him, Dallas could likely bring him back on a cheaper deal.