Ezekiel Elliott

Zeke is currently a free agent. However, that could change. Two teams to keep an eye on are the Cleveland Browns and the L.A. Chargers. The Browns don't want to overwork Nick Chubb. They want him on a pitch count so they don't overwork him. Chubb had a knee injury at Georgia.

The Chargers brought in Zeke's former coach, Kellen Moore, to be their offensive coordinator. Zeke would form a RBBC with Austin Ekeler- and presumably take over the short-yardage role just like he did at Dallas. The sticking point right now is $. Zeke wants to be the top dog and to be paid as such. Teams are unwilling to meet either of those demands. Keep an eye on this situation as the summer progresses.

5/5: Still unsigned. Speaks volumes.


3/19: Rumors that Buffalo is interested in a "big back." Zeke is gross now, but would have 12+ TD upside yet again in BUF, so he's not completely off my draft list (same logic with Lenny)


3/17: Released. Unlkely he lands anywhere with serious value.


3/7: Pollard franchised. Best days clearly behind him, but feels like a Schotty guy and could be a real cheap source of 250+ touches & TDs


2/8 - Pollard expected back. Still has decent TD upside in Schotty's run-obsessed scheme, but much lower ceiling.

I was vehemently against drafting Ezekiel Elliott across all formats in 2022. I was convinced that his best days were behind him and that Tony Pollard was the clear-cut better running back in the Dallas backfield. And I felt like the stance was mostly correct. Zeke finished as RB19 versus Pollard's RB7 status. Elliott posted career lows in yards per carry (3.7), receptions and targets. But he was an absolute TD monster, finishing second in expected touchdowns with 12 real rushing scores. Only Joe Mixon and Jamaal Williams totaled more carries inside the 10-yard line than Elliott. And ultimately the scoring was what made Zeke a usable fantasy asset especially after he returned from injury. He scored eight touchdowns from Weeks 11-17. For him to sustain any fantasy value in 2023 and beyond, Elliott will need to carve out a role as a team's primary red-zone back.