Ranking the Dallas Cowboys 10 best players on the roster

4. Ezekiel Elliott, Running Back

Stephen Jones called Ezekiel Elliott the “straw that stirs our drink” during the running back’s contract holdout last season, and there’s a lot of truth to that. The Cowboys are a better team with Elliott, who is already a two-time NFL rushing champion in just four seasons.

As a rookie, he won the title with 1,631 yards and then did so again in 2018 with 1,434 yards on the ground. In each of those seasons, he managed to win the title while playing just 15 games as he sat out the final week in each campaign since the Cowboys had the NFC East locked up.

For his career, Zeke has 5,405 yards rushing with a career average of 4.6 yards per carry. He also has 40 touchdowns already and only missed the 1,000-yard rushing mark one time, which was in 2017 when he was suspended for six games and ended up with 983 yards that season.

Elliott’s ability to carry the offense as a running back is well documented but what really makes him stand out is the way he can contribute in all phases of the game. He’s just as dangerous as a receiver, pulling in 189 receptions for 1,619 yards and eight touchdowns in his career — and that’s even with the team not utilizing him enough in the facet during his first two seasons. He’s also a great blocker in the passing game and has picked up the blitz to buy Dak Prescott time on several occasions.

There should be some excitement in Dallas this season as a new head coach could help Elliott take the next step as a player, which would be impressive considering he’s already one of the best in the game.