2023 NFL Free Agency: Predicting where top 10 running backs land

3. Tony Pollard, Dallas Cowboys

For years now, a lot of people have been saying that Tony Pollard is the best running back in Dallas — not Ezekiel Elliott. Well, it’s possible now that the Dallas Cowboys will have to choose between one or the other given Elliott’s current contract situation, and Pollard’s deal expiring following the best season of his NFL career.

Pollard earned Pro Bowl recognition this past season after he ran for over 1,000 yards, racked up over 1,300 yards from scrimmage with 12 total touchdowns, and also continued to add value on special teams with 489 kickoff return yards (28.8 average) and a kick return touchdown.

This guy is a playmaker, and plenty of teams out there would love to have him. The unfortunate thing for Pollard? Well, Pollard suffered a broken leg, high-ankle sprain, and some ligament damage that needed to be repaired as the Cowboys were eliminated from the playoffs in January. The timing of such a devastating injury for Pollard could not have been worse.

You have to hope, at this point, that the Cowboys do right by Pollard and give him the franchise tag. That would guarantee him over $10 million this coming season where his status is obviously going to be in question. Even if he’s able to come back and play this year, will he be the same guy?

The Cowboys aren’t exactly flush with cap space right now, though, and they have other needs they have to address. They simply can’t let Tony Pollard walk out the door, though. Some other team would likely pay him a back-loaded deal with a big signing bonus, banking on him coming back fully healthy at some point.

Can you imagine if the Cowboys let this guy go, and he somehow signs with the Kansas City Chiefs?

Prediction: Tagged by Cowboys 

If he leaves: Signs with Chiefs