5 bold predictions for the Dallas Cowboys in preseason Week 1

3. Hunter Luepke steals the show

The Dallas ground game is going to look vastly different this season since it will be the first time since 2016 that Ezekiel Elliott won't be in the backfield. While it was time for them to move on from his contract, the way Elliott performed in short-yardage situations will be missed — unless someone can come in and pick up the slack.

Tony Pollard is set to be the featured back this year and he's rather underrated in this department but he's still not a typical "short-yardage back." Clearly, the 5-foot-5 and 176-pound Deuce Vaughn won't fill this role either. But perhaps another rookie can.

Dallas signed Hunter Luepke as an undrafted free agent out of North Dakota State and his arrival was met with plenty of intrigue. Listed as a fullback, Luepke isn't a traditional lead-blocker who serves as an extra lineman. Instead, the 6-foot-1, 234-pounder was a playmaker with 1,665 yards on the ground and 494 through the air in four seasons with the Bisons. He also added a total of 33 touchdowns — 24 of those as a runner.

He's going to have to prove he can handle the speed of the NFL game and should be eager to do so in Week 1 of the preseason. In this prediction, he comes out full of energy and provides several memorable plays where he shows off his power and athleticism at the position. By the end of the game, he could be a favorite to make the 53-man roster.