Could Cowboys cut Ezekiel Elliott? NFL analyst raises possibility of RB's exit

As Ezekiel Elliott might learn this offseason, things can be easy come, easy go in the NFL. The Cowboys brought Elliott back earlier this offseason, but the stay has the potential to be brief. At least, that is what one Cowboys analyst has opened the door to, calling it one of the most "surprising" potential outcomes of this year's training camp, analyst K.D. Drummond addressed it in a July 8 article on Cowboys Wire:

"Ezekiel Elliott not making the roster would, by far, be the most surprising outcome of this year’s training camp, but it can’t be wholly dismissed. While there isn’t another proven back on the roster, $1.6 million in guarantees isn’t enough to guarantee a player a roster spot," he wrote.

On ESPN's depth chart, Elliott is currently slotted as the starter. Behind him are Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman. As such, at least on paper, the running back is set to start camp in first place.

Freeman might be the biggest dark horse candidate to shake up the room. He was one of the lead backs of the Denver Broncos in the late 2010s and has shown burst at times with the Los Angeles Rams in the past. Of course, Elliott showed off a game or two of burst last season as well.

Ezekiel Elliott given premium chance to reverse two-year decline

Ezekiel Elliott at New England Patriots v Denver Broncos

Ezekiel Elliott had spent seven seasons with the Cowboys before a one-year stint with the New England Patriots. With the Patriots, Elliott worked as a backup. Now, he sits as one of the only flashy additions to the team's roster this offseason. With seemingly no other name coming to compete for the starting role, it falls on Elliott to face similar players he worked ahead of before joining the Patriots.

Rico Dowdle's tenure with the team dates back to 2020. Vaughn struggled to see the field in his rookie season last year and currently sits at third on the depth chart. Freeman, meanwhile, has to climb through three players to challenge Elliott.

At this point, it appears that the job is Elliott's to lose. If he were to lose the job, it would be due to his own struggles instead of losing on a level playing field. However, the running back's apparent ongoing decline is his biggest enemy.

Elliott earned 4.2 yards per carry in 2021, 3.8 yards per carry in 2022, and 3.5 yards per carry in 2023. Any further erosion could drag the back further down to a level playing field.

Will Ezekiel Elliott hold onto the right to play with the team in 2024?