The Dallas Cowboys have been very firm with how their running back room will operate this 2024 season: running back by committee. Players like Ezekiel Elliott will have to share the spotlight with Rico Dowdle on a regular basis.
There was a small tease of what this could look like for the Cowboys in their season opener against the Cleveland Browns. However, will it be successful in rotating in Dowdle or will Elliott take the cake as the primary running back?
Running Back Committee Could Still Work for Rico Dowdle
Rotating Cowboys Running Backs
In the game against the Browns, all four of the Cowboys backs were on the field in some capacity. The primary running back was Elliott, but Elliott rotated with Dowdle throughout the game, switching almost every offensive possession.
During an interview the week before the game, Elliott admitted that he’s excited for the running back committee. When asked if he would be okay taking fewer snaps, he saw it as an opportunity to rest and be fully ready for the post-season at the end of the year.
And that’s the secret of the committee. Previously, the Cowboys relied too heavily on just one back who didn’t have the stamina. In the past, when Elliott carried injuries or wasn’t of use, no one had the experience to take his place and the run game suffered drastically. The committee has the opportunity to change that.
Rico Dowdle’s Potential in the RB Room
Dowdle is a bit of a different back than Elliott. He carries more power, forces through more formations, and does a great job at collecting huge yardage.
Elliott wasn’t a slob in the first game of the season. He looked sharp, found his way through the hole on more than one occasion, and even managed to come away with a touchdown.
Rotating between these two backs could be great for the Cowboys offense even though it might not have been evident in that first game. The Cowboys are still working on developing the run game. It’ll take time for the system to be fluid and for Dowdle to get the opportunities he had previously.
Choosing Cowboys Running Backs Based on Skill Set
Dowdle isn’t the only one with a unique skill set.
Deuce Vaughn is also one of the smallest running backs in the NFL. His size gives him the ability to shift easily and be lost by defensive linemen while he breaks away for tons of yards. He wasn’t on the field much on Sunday and the committee will be a chance to utilize his size for wins.
More than anything, the committee gives a chance for each back’s unique build and skills to benefit the most against the defense. By swamping out backs, when the defense gets comfortable against one strategy, they encounter a back who runs differently and have to change their plan of attack.
This will be the strategy the Cowboys have for all of their games.
Rico Dowdle Will Have a Chance to Dominate
Cleveland wasn’t the defense for Dowdle to find massive success in. However, if the Cowboys continue to rotate consistently between Dowdle and Elliott, there’s no doubt Dowdle will find his time to shine.
Every team has a different defense with different weaknesses to where each running back is effective. Dowdle’s defense is out there waiting for him to run down their throats.
And with the running back by committee approach, Dowdle will be there to bring it.
