Fantasy Football Fallout: What does Dalvin Cook signing with the Dallas Cowboys mean for Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle?

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Dalvin Cook
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Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has preached the mantra of "All In" throughout the offseason. While he finally buckled down and got CeeDee Lamb's contract done this week, he hasn't quite addressed the running back room in a way that portrays an "All In" mentality.

Following the departure of Tony Pollard in free agency, the Cowboys did not draft a running back with any of their eight opportunities in the 2024 NFL Draft. Instead, they patched together a committee that consists of old friend Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, a player they signed as an undrafted free agent following the 2020 draft.

But it appears that the Cowboys weren't comfortable with the depth in their stable of running backs. After waiving Royce Freeman as a part of final cuts, the Cowboys turned around and signed 29-year-old veteran running back Dalvin Cook. Cook, who was most recently with the New York Jets, will start out on the practice squad.

Given the value of Cook's name, there is a chance that this causes some stir in fantasy circles. But should this signing impact how we view the Cowboys' backfield in fantasy football?

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Dalvin Cook Signs With Dallas Cowboys: Fantasy Impact for Ezekiel Elliott, Rico Dowdle

Dalvin Cook's fantasy football outlook for 2024

Dalvin Cook's signing with the Jets late last offseason sent the fantasy community into a frenzy. His closing ADP was 61st overall as the RB26. If you caught a Jets game last year, you probably realized that Cook wasn't much of a factor in the offense and did not pay off at this price. Cook finished the year with just 67 carries and fewer than 300 total yards.

Cook's performances over the years may lead to his name carrying some weight in fantasy drafts again this year. Don't let the name value fool you though; it's 2024 and Cook is no longer a quality football player. There's a reason he wasn't signed until Aug. 28 and only got a practice squad spot upon signing.

Perhaps Cook steals some carries here and there, but this should not impact how you view Elliott and Dowdle. All indications are that he is beyond washed and should not be on anyone's radar in fantasy drafts.

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Fantasy football outlook for 2024 Dallas Cowboys running backs

There are a couple of confusing driving forces behind the Cowboys' backfield this year. First, we expect Dallas to have a strong offense once again in 2024. This is an offense that should allow its running backs to produce fantasy points and provide ample scoring opportunities.

On the other hand, there isn't a particularly talented back on the roster. Both Cook and Elliott were talented at one point, but both are well past their prime. Elliott seemed to have some gas left in the tank while in New England last year and could return value in fantasy if he plays a role as a pass catcher and at the goal line.

Rico Dowdle is the other "notable" back in Dallas. He hasn't had inspiring production in his four years since being drafted, but he almost certainly has more juice than both Cook and Elliott. If the Cook signing scares some people off of Dowdle in your draft, graciously scoop him up in the later rounds at a discounted price. Dowdle is currently available in the 13th round of drafts and is a very intriguing dart throw given the (projected) quality of the Dallas offense.

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Michael O'Hara is a Fantasy Sports Intern at The Sporting News
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