5 Cowboys on Thin Ice Following Trade Deadline

2. Ezekiel Elliott, RB

Based on how the 2024 season has unfolded, it'd be surprising if any NFL team is willing to give Ezekiel Elliott a chance next year.

After opting not to target the likes of Derrick Henry and Saquon Barkley, the Cowboys reunited with Elliott this offseason after a brief run with the New England Patriots. Even though the veteran running back's best days are clearly in the rearview, Jones & Co. figured that the ex-Ohio State product could still be serviceable as head coach Mike McCarthy's lead back.

As many people predicted, Elliott has been a shell of his former self. He's looked rather pedestrian more often than not, tallying only 149 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 48 carries while catching another seven balls for 70 more yards. Not only is he averaging a career-worst 3.1 yards per carry, too, but he's also yet to rush for more than 40 yards in a game.

With Elliott's dud performances piling up, the Cowboys made the veteran RB a healthy scratch for the first time in his career in Week 9. The decision ended up paying off as Rico Dowdle amassed 107 scrimmage yards and a TD while Dallas finished with a season-high 137 rushing yards as a team.

Addition by subtraction is a real thing and the Cowboys proved that by ridding their lineup of Elliott last week. As great as he was during his first run with Dallas, it's clear that the 29-year-old runner is no longer good enough to hold down a consistent NFL role.

Unless he magically turns back the clock and looks like himself from five years ago, Elliott is likely playing with the Cowboys on borrowed time.