Earlier this week, the Dallas Cowboys released their unofficial depth chart ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Key word: Unofficial.
In other words, the released depth chart is put together by the team's Public Relations department and not the coaching staff. Therefore, it makes sense to have measured reactions to these when they're posted.
However, based on how many teams around the league do it, coaches are usually asked for their approval before it's published. That might mean something or it might mean nothing: Cincinnati Bengals HC Zac Taylor recently said he "put no attention to whatsoever" nor "time into it" before approving it.
In the case of the Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy, I'm unaware of how thorough his depth chart approval process is but If I had to bet, I'd say it's definitely not a time block on his calendar. But McCarthy was asked about the recently released list, specifically about the running back position, where Ezekiel Elliott is penciled as the starter ahead of Rico Dowdle, who many consider to be the best back on the team despite Zeke's experience.
Per Clarence Hill from All City DLLS , "McCarthy confirms that he approved Ezekiel Elliott being listed as RB1 on Cowboys depth chart. Same with rookie Marist Liufau ahead of DeMarvion Overshown at linebacker."
Even if the depth chart is unofficial, McCarthy confirming it combined with the team's previous actions ( Elliott didn't take a single snap during the Cowboys preseason , Dowdle did), suggests the coaching staff truly plans to make Elliott RB1.
Which brings me to this: There might just be something about Elliott the staff knows that we're missing.
Believe me, I'm not saying it sarcastically or ironically but the truth is I'll be truly surprised if that is the case as the season goes on for the simple fact that I believe Dowdle is the top back on the team.
"Rico," practice squad RB Dalvin Cook replied when asked which running back had stood out to him. "I feel like you know he's one of those underrated players that kind of do the dirty work, knows the playbook inside out, he's helping me with the playbook right now. So he's just one of those players that don't get enough recognition but he puts his head down and just work."
Additionally, Zeke's numbers from 2023 show a back that rarely had an explosive play on the field, having the worst explosive play rate out of backs with a minimum 100 carries, something we've been discussing since Elliott rejoined the team in March :
Per Sports Info Solutions, Elliott had an explosive rush in 1% of his attempts (measured by EPA). That ranked dead last among running backs with over 100 carries. (Tony) Pollard had a 7.1% rate and there were 15 other backs that ranked higher than him, including Christian McCaffrey (9.9%).
Even in pass pro, something that's always been promoted as one of Zeke's biggest strengths, the former No. 4 overall pick has struggled. Out of 70 qualifying running backs, Elliott graded 57th in pass blocking per PFF. Though Dowdle didn't have enough pass blocking snaps to register a grade, he has one year on McCarthy's revamped pass pro scheme to Elliott's zero.
This isn't an article dedicated to knock on Elliott, who once was one of the best running backs in the NFL and it's not totally impossible for him to have a bounce back year in 2024. It's just difficult to understand why it's he and not Dowdle listed and treated as RB1. The coaching staff has a better idea of who these players are as they've evaluated them all summer long, so I admit there might be something we're missing ahead of the regular season.
Perhaps soon enough, we'll find out what that is. Or maybe, Dowdle will prove them wrong soon enough. Buckle up.
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