Ezekiel Elliot will get just a taste of what freedom is like in the NFL regular season after the court announced his suspension was upheld. Last year’s rushing-leader and Offensive Rookie of the Year candidate will, however, be able to play in Week 1 against the New York Giants. This is shocking news for most people, as the NFL’s case against Elliot didn’t seem to have the legs to suspend the RB in the first place. Elliot’s team is requesting a temporary restraining order on the decisions that would suspend him for the season, so he could end up fighting this again next offseason and play the entirety of the 2017-18 season. With this decision looming, the question remains: who will step up for the Cowboys if Zeke misses the six weeks?
There are a couple options in the Dallas backfield, but if one of them will step up remains to be seen. Let’s take a look at the names.
Darren McFadden was a top draft pick in 2008 with the Oakland Raiders. Due to injuries, it was tough for McFadden to get the opportunities to be a top flight running back. He averaged just over 600 yards and 3.5 touchdowns per season during his time with the Raiders. When he needed a change of scenery, he signed with the Cowboys.
As the feature RB and a healthy season in 2015, McFadden was able to rush for over 1,000 yards for just the second time in his career. It looked like he may be ready for a resurgence, and then Dallas would go onto draft Zeke fourth overall the following season.
Alfred Morris on the other hand had a very successful beginning to his career as a sixth round draft pick in 2011. He was expected to be used in combination with Roy Helu, who was drafted the year before. Instead, Morris claimed the starting role, hit the ground running (no pun intended), and didn’t look back (averaging over 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns in Washington).
He came to Dallas before last year’s draft. There may have been thoughts that Morris would be the starting back before Zeke’s selection. As the third-string (and backup when McFadden went down), Morris had a solid year for his role. All of his numbers took a dramatic dip, but that was to be expected as the third-string back.
Rod Smith is the last guy on the depth chart who could take some snaps. Smith was undrafted in 2015. Really used as a fullback, this is the first time he has received talk about being a ball-carrier. Prior to this preseason, Smith had carried the ball only two times in his two seasons, but he showed some promise during the exhibitions, rushing for 130 yards on 4.5 yards per carry.
Well who will it be?
I think you will probably see a rotation of these guys. Morris will probably get the slight majority of the carries with McFadden and Smith following behind. Jason Garrett should really play the hot hand in this situation. Six weeks is a long time to be without one of the best players at their position, so it would be wise of the Head Coach to look at the performances of the backs in short terms, whether that be by quarter, by half, or by game. For fantasy implications, I would say Morris is the guy to own, but I would absolutely be keeping an eye on the other two on the waiver wire.