The Dallas Cowboys‘ running back room remains a question going into 2024.
But with both Tony Pollard and Rico Dowdle heading into free agency, let’s assess their performances this season and the likelihood of them returning to the Cowboys.
Evaluating the 2023 Dallas Cowboys Running Backs
The Cowboys’ 2023 running back room comprised of Pollard, Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Malik Davis. Hunter Luepke was the team’s fullback throughout the season as well.
Tony Pollard’s 2023 Evaluation
This was Pollard’s first season as the team’s starting running back after Ezekiel Elliott’s departure. He has been with the Cowboys for the last five seasons and was on the team’s franchise tag in 2023.
Pollard was coming off a fractured left leg and high ankle sprain in the team’s Wild Card loss to the San Francisco 49ers in the 2022 NFL Playoffs.
He admittedly struggled more than he initially thought upon returning from the injury in the first half of the 2023 season.
He had 252 carries for 1,005 yards and six touchdowns. However, he averaged four yards per carry, a career low.
This season, the run game was disappointing under Mike McCarthy’s play calling, but Pollard seemingly found his stride in the team’s final two games.
He played his best on third downs, averaging 7.1 yards from scrimmage per touch on third down this year, third-best among running backs in the NFL.
Pollard played over 70% of offensive snaps this season, but he also got the opportunity to perfect his pass protection with the amount of blocking the new offensive scheme required.
In his final press conference of the season, McCarthy admitted that the run game isn’t up to the standards of where it should be. It is unclear whether the Cowboys will try to retain Pollard this offseason.
Rico Dowdle’s 2023 Evaluation
After three years of waiting, Dowdle’s patience paid off, and he finally got the opportunity to prove himself this season.
His injury history prevented him from getting more involvement with the offense in previous seasons.
Although he was battling an ankle injury for the better part of the second half of the season, he stayed healthy enough to play.
With the success the team found with the “one-two punch” approach with Pollard and Elliott in the past, it was expected to see more of that with Pollard and Dowdle.
But that wasn’t the case this season, as Dowdle only had 247 offensive snaps, a little over 20% of the total snaps this season. Over the season, he had 89 carries for 361 yards and two touchdowns.
Dowdle has an angry running style, which ensures yards after carry. But with Dowdle also not getting the involvement expected this season, it’s hard to say if the team will pick him up for another contract.
Deuce Vaughn’s 2023 Evaluation
Vaughn was the 2023 NFL Draft media darling and became an immediate fan favorite.
His size has been a factor he has adjusted to throughout his football career, but it could also be seen as a disadvantage in the NFL.
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Regardless, Vaughn fought to get opportunities and took advantage of them when he did.
He played in five games this season, taking 23 carries for 40 yards in 61 total offensive snaps during those games.
Hunter Luepke’s 2023 Evaluation
Luepke was an undrafted free agent who sealed his spot on the final roster because of his performance in the preseason.
Although Luepke was mainly used to help block throughout the season, it’s exciting to see his potential on the roster in his second season.
By the tail end of the season, he was one of the highest-graded fullbacks in the NFL.
He had six carries for 19 yards and one touchdown during the season. More development and training in the offseason could land Luepke a more significant role in the offense come 2024.
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