Dallas Cowboys: More passes to Zeke and Pollard – Is that a good thing?

The Dallas Cowboys Receiving RBs

How the Dallas Cowboys should use their RBs

The Dallas Cowboys have two explosive running backs more than capable of lining up as receiver this season. The flex and versatility will add another layer of confusion to the Cowboys offense and no doubt result in mismatches downfield.

It seems unwise to steal opportunities from CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, or Blake Jarwin just so they can throw to Pollard/Zeke in the slot.

But we also know through the data, the impact of those mismatches is grossly overblown and even the best pass-catching RB in the business is less effective in the slot than he is in the backfield. Additionally, he’s a much less desirable option to most NFL receivers and tight ends. Therefore it seems unwise for the Dallas Cowboys to steal opportunities from CeeDee Lamb, Amari Cooper, Michael Gallup, or Blake Jarwin just so they can throw to Pollard/Zeke in the slot.

But that doesn’t mean the idea needs to be abandoned either. Route depth is important to consider and many times running backs who lineup in the slot don’t run very deep downfield. This reliance on YAC explains their paltry numbers as a whole. If the Dallas Cowboys deviate from that norm and run their RBs deep, they could see a huge boost in the numbers.

We saw leaks in training camp that have indicated as much (see above). I like Zeke and Pollard’s odds catching the ball down the sideline with a linebacker in chase coverage, don’t you?

The thing is, we don’t need to line them up in the slot to get this. Wheel routes out of the backfield are just as effective (if not more). That’s why Christian McCaffrey’s backfield numbers look so strong and that’s why we shouldn’t underestimate the number of route options the Cowboys have out of the backfield.

The screen game is another way to set running backs up for big gains. Designed screens happen behind the line of scrimmage but it exploits overaggressive defenses and moves blockers into position for explosive plays.

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One thing is completely clear: Check-downs remain the worst option. It may be better than a sack but it rarely adds expected points and often results in a punt. Holding the ball and looking downfield may increase the odds of an incomplete pass or sack but it exponentially helps a team convert and keep a drive alive. There’s a time and a place for check-downs, yes, but we need to see them for what they are and that’s basically giving up and conceding defeat.

So there we go. A deep dive into the effectiveness of pass-catching running backs. They aren’t as great as we think they’d be lined up in the slot and are far more effective running screen and wheel routes out of the backfield.

If the Dallas Cowboys want to throw the ball to the man in the slot, they’d be wise to make him be a tight end or actual receiver. RBs aren’t nearly as effective in the slot. Pass the ball to the running backs, yes, just not at the expense of the WRs or TEs.