Cowboys' 'biggest bust for 2024' is already painfully obvious

Hang in there, Dallas Cowboys fans. The home stretch of July has arrived, which mean training camp content will soon consume the Cowboys news cycle. With the entire NFL on summer break, content has been few and far between for the last month.

Because of that, media outlets are in the midst of the annual tradition of ranking players and analyzing all 32 teams with a fine tooth comb.

For instance, Dak Prescott checked in No. 10 on ESPN's yearly quarterback ranking. Another (worrying) projection has Ezekiel Elliott leading the Cowboys in carries, rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

We have at least another week to dissect the Cowboys' roster and react to similar articles before training camp starts. With that, Bleacher Report has taken a stab at guessing every team's biggest bust of the 2024 season. Their pick for Dallas is obvious, but that isn't necessarily a good thing.

Ezekiel Elliott projected to be the Cowboys' 'biggest bust' this season

Bleacher Report kept its Elliott analysis short and sweet.

"In short: 2016 is a long time ago. Reuniting with Ezekiel Elliott is a fun concept, but Dallas might not be happy with the outcome. He averaged 4.2 yards per carry in 2021, then 3.8 in 2022 and 3.5 with the New England Patriots last season. Elliott doesn't produce like a top back anymore."

That is spot on. As nostalgic and warming as it is that Elliott is back home, it's difficult to envision 2024 being a success for the aging back. While Elliott will have the support of an elite passing game, the Cowboys' offensive line will feature two new starters, both of whom are rookies.

Maybe Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe move mountains for the run game, but lest we forget that Tony Pollard struggled last season behind virtually the same line. Pollard might not have Elliott's rushing IQ, but he's twice the athlete Zeke is at this stage of their careers.

Whether Elliott is a bust, though, is up to Mike McCarthy and offensive coordinator Brian Schottenheimer. If ESPN's projection is accurate and Elliott leads the team in carries, the two-time rushing champ is headed for disappointment and the dreaded "B" word.

If the Cowboys embrace a committee and make Zeke a part-time player, he could be highly effective. However, McCarthy was a loud advocate for signing Zeke and we're not sure if the coaching staff as a whole trusts Rico Dowdle enough to give him more touches than the former All-Pro.

It'd be a great story if Elliott silenced his doubters. Mazi Smith, Tyler Guyton, Jalen Tolbert and Terence Steele all could have been picked over Elliott, but it's easy to understand why Bleacher Report sided with the elder statesman.

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