4 Moves Cowboys Should Make After Trade Deadline

The NFL trade deadline came and passed. With the second half of the season here, here are four moves the Dallas Cowboys must make down the stretch.

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Trey Lance (19) runs for a touchdown against the Los Angeles Chargers in the third quarter at AT&T Stadium. / Tim Heitman-Imagn Images

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2. Keep RB Ezekiel Elliott Benched

It's safe to say that Ezekiel Elliott's return to the Lone Star State has been forgettable at best.

The former Ohio State running back looks like a shell of his former self in the backfield. He's generating career worsts in terms of rushing yards per game (21.3) and yards per carry (3.1), both of which played a big role in Elliott being a healthy scratch for the first time in Week 9.

Unfortunately, for Elliott, his absence benefited his teammates. Even though the Cowboys failed to defeat the Atlanta Falcons last weekend, RB Rico Dowdle performed like a starting RB with 107 scrimmage yards and a touchdown on 17 touches. Not only that, but Dallas racked up a season-high 137 rushing yards as a team, proving that Elliott wasn't missed.

As great as it's been to see the 29-year-old rusher back in a Cowboys jersey, it's clear that Elliott's best days are behind him. Continuing to play him will only soil the fond memories that Dallas fans have of him, so it's likely best to just keep him on the sidelines until his contract expires.

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