‘Who Gets Touches?’ Cowboys Coach Mike McCarthy Reveals ‘Life After Zeke’ Plan

With Tony Pollard sitting atop the depth chart uncontested, who are some of the incoming rushers that could help fill the Zeke-sized hole in the Dallas Cowboys offense?

Following the Dallas Cowboys’ decision to release veteran running back Ezekiel Elliott, the team may draft a rookie to help spell Tony Pollard.

At the NFL Owners Meetings, Dallas Head Coach Mike McCarthy acknowledged the elephant in the room regarding the team’s current roster construction.

“Just look at Zeke’s opportunities,” McCarthy said. “Where do those touches go?”

Last season, Pollard played 49 percent of the team’s offensive snaps … compared to Elliott’s 48 percent. While many in Cowboys Nation are excited at the prospect of Pollard seeing increased opportunities this upcoming season, Dallas has talked opening about drafting his caddie.

As of late, Elliott had represented the thunder to Pollard's lightning. Looking at the options on the draft board, two names stand out as potential “power back” (COO Stephen Jones’ words) replacements: Texas Longhorn Roschon Johnson and UCLA Bruin Zach Charbonnet.

Both Johnson and Charbonnet weighed over 220 pounds and stood over six feet tall at the NFL Combine, showing that they possess size great enough to complement the lighter Pollard. In their final college seasons, each also rushed for over six yards per carry while posting double-digit receptions.

With both running back prospects projected to get drafted around day two of the NFL draft, Johnson or Charbonnet represent intriguing options for the Cowboys as big-bodied rushers with three-down skillsets.

Pollard signed a franchise tag this offseason, meaning that the organization has no ties to the 25-year-old running back beyond this season. Should Dallas select a young rusher in this year’s draft, they would have the opportunity to fill Elliott’s shoes and potentially run away as the future of the Cowboys backfield.

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