5 Cowboys Leaving Dallas in the New Year

5. Ezekiel Elliott

After spending a season in New England, the Cowboys re-signed Ezekiel Elliott this past offseason. In 2023, Elliot rushed the ball 184 times for 672 yards and three touchdowns with the Patriots. However, much of Elliot's work came in short-yardage situations, and while Rhamondre Stevenson was hurt.

Although Elliot had a decent output with the Patriots, he lacked explosiveness, which is why the Cowboys released him in the first place. Thus, when they re-signed him, it left fans scratching their head. What did Jones think he would get out of Elliot to help this bad Cowboys run game?

The answer ended up being not a thing. This season, Elliot has carried the ball 74 times for 226 yards and three touchdowns. The money Jones spent on Elliot should have gone to a player who could have actually helped the Cowboys.

Elliot signed a one-year deal worth $2 million to come back to the Cowboys. While that's not a lot of money, if it was allocated better, maybe the Cowboys wouldn't be below .500 this season.

Elliiot's performance definitely doesn't merit a return in 2025. That will leave the Cowboys with Rico Dowdle and Deuce Vaughn at running back. Given where the Cowboys are projected to draft this season, it has led many people to speculate whether they would draft Boise State running back Ashton Jeanty.

If Jeanty ended up being the selection, it would be similar to drafting Elliot in 2016. It would provide an explosive player with both power and speed, which the Cowboys desperately need out of the backfield.

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