Is Ezekiel Elliott or Rico Dowdle the RB1 for the Cowboys?

It has been a wild offseason for the Dallas Cowboys, especially at the running back position. After losing Tony Pollard in free agency, the Cowboys didn't really do much to replace him. They didn't draft a back in the 2024 NFL Draft and only signed Royce Freeman to a cheap deal.

However, Dallas eventually did something to upgrade its running back room by signing free-agent running back Ezekiel Elliott to a one-year, $3 million deal on Monday. Elliott now gives Rico Dowdle some competition for the RB1 job this upcoming season.

So, is Elliott or Dowdle the RB1 for the Cowboys in 2024? Let's dive in and find out.

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Who is the Dallas Cowboys' RB1?

Following the signing of Elliott on Monday morning, it would be hard to imagine him not being the Cowboys' RB1 this upcoming season. He spent the first seven years of his career in Dallas, where he put up 8,262 rush yards and 68 touchdowns from 2016 to 2022.

The Cowboys desperately missed a physical runner like Elliott last season, as they struggled in short-yardage situations. His presence back in Dallas will be big for those situations. In 2023, the 28-year-old rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns with the New England Patriots.

RUN IT BACK

— Ezekiel Elliott (@EzekielElliott) April 29, 2024

Elliott showed some nice things with the Patriots last year, but obviously, he is past his prime. So, expect Dowdle to mix in on passing downs and see his fair share of opportunities on offense. The 25-year-old totaled 505 yards from scrimmage in 2023 with four touchdowns.

For most of the offseason, Dowdle was the clear fantasy winner after the Cowboys lost Pollard, didn't really sign any running back in free agency, and didn't draft one in the 2024 NFL Draft. However, now, he figures to have a backup role in Dallas with the signing of Elliott. Still, he should be one of the best handcuffs in fantasy this upcoming season.

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