Report: Cowboys meeting with Ezekiel Elliott’s representatives before the draft

The Cowboys could be thinking about signing their former franchise running back.

If the lead-up to what the Dallas Cowboys could be doing in the upcoming NFL draft couldn’t get more intriguing, the front office might be throwing a curveball into the mix. CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson says the Cowboys will meet with Ezekiel Elliott’s representation before the draft. NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport confirmed a similar report too.

The Cowboys were disappointed by the promise that was supposed to be a much better situation at running back in 2023. Tony Pollard was given the keys to the starting job, but it took a while for him to look like his old self last year.

Rico Dowdle impressed head coach Mike McCarthy and the coaching staff enough in his first healthy season to the point where he returned to the team on a one-year deal. The front office recently signed veteran back Royce Freeman to the mix, but Dallas Cowboys staff writer Patrik Walker alluded to the team potentially adding more to the mix.

Possibly enter Elliott’s card to the deck. The Cowboys offense was missing an aggressive style to their running game so adding Elliott back into the mix could bring that element back. Despite having a down year in production, Elliott’s final year in Dallas ended with him rushing for 12 touchdowns. Pollard and Dowdle combined for just eight rushing touchdowns in 2023.

While even the potential addition of Elliott hovers around the start of the draft, it shouldn’t preclude the Cowboys from taking a running back in the draft. The front office seems bent on correcting what was an area of weakness in 2023 by any means necessary, even if that means an eight-man battle between Dowdle, Elliott, Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis Snoop Connor, and [insert rookie back name here].

Owner Jerry Jones mentioned in his press conference yesterday that he was waiting for a few more cards to fall. Maybe the Elliott card is something he’s hiding up his sleeve waiting to play it at some point before this weekend is over.