Dallas Cowboys: 4 significant losses Dak Prescott must overcome

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2. The Dallas Cowboys anticipated release of long-time running back, Ezekiel Elliott.

This isn’t breaking news or anything like that. But it may be in the news cycle sooner rather than later. Everyone has either read or heard about the possibility that this may be the last year for running back, Ezekiel Elliott.

A restructured contract may give him another year. But, if I was a betting man, I would tell Dak Prescott to prepare for life without his long-time backfield mate.

The term “security blanket” has been thrown around for players like Jason Witten, Cole Beasley and even Dalton Schultz. All three were worthy of having that title for Dak Prescott. But Zeke’s name needs to be on that list.

From the first four years of their career, Ezekiel Elliott was the best player in that backfield. Some would argue that Zeke should have been the Offensive Rookie of the Year. Those first four years when Dak was described as a “bus driver”, Ezekiel Elliott was the engine that moved that bus. He averaged 292 carries, 1351 rushing yards and a total of 40 rushing touchdowns. He was a top three runner in the league at that point and a first-round fantasy football choice.

Once Zeke’s body started to slow down, he still arrived to work with his lunch pail ready to ensure that Dak was protected. Week after week Elliott was a pass protecting extraordinaire ensuring that his quarterback had those few extra seconds in the pocket.

I won’t go out on a climb and say Dak wouldn’t be who he is without Zeke. However, I will say that it was definitely comforting to have a bruising, All-Pro running back to hand the ball off to in your formidable seasons.

Nothing has been set in stone yet with the running back’s future in Dallas. It’s rare to find a franchise quarterback and an elite running back in one draft but Dallas absolutely fell backwards into that situation. Very soon, Dak may have to find someone else to pick up the delayed blitz for him, but that’s easier said than done.

Change Impact Meter: 5 out of 10