5 Bold Dallas Cowboys predictions in 2022: CeeDee Lamb explodes
By Randy Gurzi
![ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 27: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a first quarter catch in front of Steven Nelson #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on September 27, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) ARLINGTON, TEXAS - SEPTEMBER 27: CeeDee Lamb #88 of the Dallas Cowboys makes a first quarter catch in front of Steven Nelson #3 of the Philadelphia Eagles at AT&T Stadium on September 27, 2021 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/d714414574b63b916001aa0dc23a2b0f281b6462f1ac1f7cdb9aaab687aec530.jpg)
Dallas Cowboys Bold Prediction No. 3: Tony Pollard becomes No. 1 rusher, hits 1,200 yards
This one should have already happened — but when the man who signs the paychecks gets over-involved with decisions on the field, players who make the most often get the nod. And right now, Ezekiel Elliott is the one who gets paid, so he gets to play.
It’s not that he’s a bad player, and he even topped 1,000-yards last season but the truth is, Tony Pollard has been the superior back — and it wasn’t just in 2021. According to PFF, he’s fourth in the NFL in rushing grade, first in yards after contact, and first in forced missed tackles since entering the league in 2019.
Tony Pollard since 2019:
— PFF (@PFF) December 21, 2020
4th in PFF rushing grade (89.8)
1st in YAC per attempt (4.2)
1st in forced missed tackles per attempt (0.25) pic.twitter.com/s9AVkFl5mJ
Even with all that being the case, Dallas refuses to use him as the No. 1 back. Still, in his role as the No. 2 guy, he broke out with 719 yards this past season and added 337 through the air.
As we enter the 2022 season, which is his final year under contract in Dallas, the bold prediction is that he will finally get the ball as much as he should. He won’t start out the season as the No. 1 back but by midseason, Mike McCarthy will finally make the right call and Pollard will take the bulk of the carries.
The decision will pay off as Pollard tops 1,200 yards on the season. But then the question will be whether or not Dallas is able to keep him beyond this year.