If there’s one thing the Cowboys will have to do for the 2022 season, it’s take stock of their future. And that includes the situation with his brokers. Since in the case of this franchise, the team has two talented runners such as Zeke Elliott and Tony Pollard.
However, when it comes to the latter there are many aspects to be noted. The most important of them is that for the next season he will be in a contract year and the lone star team will have to see if he is going to renew it or not. After all, Tony in the few opportunities he has had has managed to show a lot and that shows in his statistics in 2021. If he manages to maintain that same pace in the next championship, the smartest thing Dallas could do would be to keep him. .
Seeing his numbers accurately, the running back managed to have 130 carries, for a total of 719 yards, two touchdowns and averaging 5.5 yards per action. All this taking into account that he was Zeke Elliott’s backup running back. Who was again owed to the team despite having a contract of ninety million dollars, of which fifty of them are fully guaranteed.
Analyzing much more thoroughly, you have to see the notes that Pro Football Focus has on Tony Pollard. In fact, he has a 90.3 carry rating, the highest of anyone at his position. We’re talking about a backup running back who is above not only Zeke Elliott. He but other runners in the league like Dalvin Cook or Alvin Kamara.
Highest PFF rushing grade last season (RBs)
⭐️ Tony Pollard – 90.3
(???? @dallascowboys) pic.twitter.com/m3TkKkla66
— PFF Fantasy Football (@PFF_Fantasy) April 15, 2022
As if this were not enough, the total score of both runners in Dallas has a wide difference. While Zeke Elliott’s is 68.9, Tony’s is 86.2. As far as this stat is concerned, Tony still ranks among the top four running backs in the entire NFL in 2021.
This all sounds great, but there is one detail that might keep Pollard in the background and that is Zeke Elliott. As already mentioned, his contract weighs a lot and it is still expected that the broker will return to a similar level as the one he had between 2016 and 2018. The truth is that none of this is being seen and Zeke will have much more pressure in the next season.
Still, the best thing Dallas could do with Pollard is to use him a lot more elsewhere. Do not forget that the RB also has experience as a receiver thanks to his years as a player at the University of Memphis. In the three seasons he has been a professional with the Cowboys, he has 82 receptions for 636 yards and two touchdowns. While they’re not that high numbers, with how little he’s used compared to Elliott, aside from not being his primary task, he’s more than decent.
All of this opens up the debate about rumors of a possible trade for 49ers wide receiver Deebo Samuel. Part of the Cowboys’ philosophy is about not spending too much on non-house players, and it looks like Samuel will be the same. Given the criticism they may receive in the offices for how things are being handled this year, we must also not forget the great quality of Tony Pollard. Of course, Samuel has shown great production with San Francisco, but Tony has also had moments of his with the Cowboys. And taking into account the few attempts and goals that he has been able to have, you only have to imagine what he could do in 2022 if he gets to have a greater leading role.
Therefore, the front office should once and for all consider extending Pollard before he rises in value with another big season. The Lone Star team has not only a good running back in its ranks, but someone who can respond as a catcher and even be a key player on special teams. Tony has it all and if he is consistent in his work, he will attract the eyes of other teams in the NFL. The most sensible thing would be to give him a new contract as soon as possible.
Tony Pollard with a kickoff return for a Touchdown! #DallasCowboys #Cowboys pic.twitter.com/keJxQtU8HF
— Dallas Cowboys Collaboration (@mailman_phil) November 26, 2021
Of course, this is all going to depend on what the team decides to do with Elliott. If it was cut after the end of the 2022 campaign, the blow to the coffers would be 11.8 million dollars. After 2023, it would be drastically reduced to six million. So the final decision will be up to the organization if Zeke returns to have another season to forget.
What is certain is that if he knows how to use it, Pollard will be key in the cowboy offense in the new season. But everything will depend on what the coaching staff and Kellen Moore decide to do with him in the coming months.
