RADIO
The time has finally come for Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard to take over the backfield. The Cowboys released veteran Ezekiel Elliott this offseason, paving the way for Pollard to handle a full workload in 2023.
There were some questions about Pollard's possible health heading into the season, but all seems to be well. After breaking his fibula in Dallas' Divisional Round loss to the San Francisco 49ers, the 26-year-old running back will not enter training camp on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list.
With Pollard cleared, will he finish as a top-5 RB? How high should you draft him? Let's dive in.
Tony Pollard RB1/Career Stats
There weren't many times that Ezekiel Elliott would miss games on Sundays. However, when it did happen, Tony Pollard stepped in and gave fantasy managers a huge performance.
Pollard has only played three games without Elliott in his career (Week 15 in 2020, Week 7 in 2022, Week 8 in 2022). In those contests, the former Memphis wideout has 48 carries for 315 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He also averaged 28.9 PPR fantasy points per game as the team's RB1.
The 26-year-old running back is coming off a career year in 2022, rushing for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 371 receiving yards on 39 catches with three touchdowns. For his elite season, Pollard made his first Pro Bowl appearance.
Will Tony Pollard Finish as a Top-5 RB in 2023?
All offseason, the Cowboys remained confident the running back would be ready for the start of training camp. In Dallas' first team practice on Wednesday, Tony Pollard was out on the field. Although the team expects to take it slow with him this early into camp, the good news is that the injury is in the past.
For that reason, Pollard should be an easy second-round pick in fantasy drafts this season. He also has a strong chance to finish top five at the running back position on an elite Cowboys offense. In 2022, the 26-year-old back finished as the RB8 in PPR formats while splitting reps with Elliott. With the veteran now gone, this is all Pollard's backfield.
Since the Cowboys didn't add any big-name running backs this offseason -- Ronald Jones and a sixth-round rookie in Deuce Vaughn -- we should see a lot more Pollard out of the backfield. He is currently the ninth running back off the board in drafts in 2023, but he has one of the highest ceilings entering his fifth NFL season.
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