The Dallas Cowboys want to once again run their offense through running back Ezekiel Elliott. Will Elliott produce enough to be on your fantasy football roster, and what is his current ADP in fantasy drafts?
Ezekiel Elliott ADP | Is he worth his current price in fantasy drafts?
Elliott’s’ current ADP is 28th overall as the 15th running back selected in fantasy drafts. This means he’s being taken in the third round of standard leagues. Other players drafted in his range include Javonte Williams and James Conner.
Elliott finished as RB14 and No. 24 overall in our 2022 running back fantasy rankings for PPR leagues. He’s almost perfectly in line with our rankings, making him a solid choice at his ADP. Though we often hear complaints about Zeke’s contract, the Cowboys have continued to feed him opportunities that lead to solid seasons.
He’s a high-floor player who is perfectly outfitted to churn out RB2-caliber campaigns in Dallas’ pass-happy system. Analysts bemoan the Cowboys’ decision to play Elliott over Tony Pollard. However, they’re missing what Dallas has been telling us: Pollard wouldn’t be nearly as effective with the same workload as Elliott.
The seventh-year running back has totaled 979 yards on the ground in each season thus far and led the league in 2016 and 2018. His production has dipped over the last two years as Dallas’ offensive line has suffered a rash of injuries. We already know he’ll be without star Tyron Smith for the majority of the regular season after his latest injury.
Even with the sixth-easiest schedule for running backs, Elliott plays on an offense that will throw the ball a ton. They threw the ball the sixth-most times but only ran it the 12th-most in 2021. Expect that to continue in 2022.
Elliott’s projected fantasy value in 2022
Ideally, you’d pair Elliott with an elite back or be able to take him and another back in the second- and third-round turn. Walking out of the third round with Elliott and one of Saquon Barkley or Leonard Fournette would be a solid start to any roster based on building a higher floor.
He’ll again be the lead back in a powerful offense, and there’s no chance he’ll lose more of his market share to Pollard even after his backup earned more touches on his own and was more efficient. The Cowboys prefer Elliott’s durability and reliable vision on traditional run calls as opposed to Pollard’s desire to bounce outside.
Fantasy managers may be pleased to see Elliott’s receiving contributions rise. Though he finished fourth on the team with 47 receptions last year, the departures of Amari Cooper and Cedrick Wilson Jr. further opened the door for Elliott to be at the top of targets for running backs. Managers would certainly benefit from Elliott reaching the end zone more than twice as a receiver, though he did rush for 10 scores last year.
I’m optimistic about Elliott’s fantasy outlook for 2022, even as others fade him. He’s a reliable back who lacks some explosive performances, but there’s always room for that on a fantasy roster.