Tony Pollard Could “Carry Whole Load” as 2019’s James Conner in Fantasy

Tony Pollard is emerging as the Cowboys next workhorse if Ezekiel Elliott sits. Behind this line... Pollard could truly explode.

With Ezekiel Elliott’s holdout drama only thickening, Cowboys rookie RB Tony Pollard MUST enter your fantasy radar. Amidst Zeke’s absence, Pollard has soaked up first team reps and excelled as both a runner and receiver.

Encouragingly, he was the only back to play with Dak Prescott in Saturday’s preseason opener. In fact, after gaining 16 yards on 4 carries, Pollard was promptly removed alongside he rest of the starters — suggesting he’s earned an important role.

Many questioned if Pollard would be viewed as a true workhorse after he operated as Darrell Henderson‘s change of pace option at Memphis. Yet, those questions can be buried, at least in the Cowboys eyes. After Pollard’s impressive early camp, owner Jerry Jones has raved:

“He looks confident out there. We know he’s inordinately understanding what it is he does and what he can do,” Jones said “We’ve seen him do it. We know he’s capable, if he really needs to, carry the whole load.

Granted, this may be an attempt to light a fire under Zeke’s negotiating ass. Still, Jones isn’t the only one impressed by Pollard. Prescott has gushed:

“One of the most exciting players to me of this training camp,” he said of Pollard. “The things that he’s been able to do running the ball, catching the ball out of the backfield. He’s making plays. …He’s going to help us out.”

NFL HOFer and scouting guru Gil Brandt also came away mesmerized with Pollard:

“[I can’t] stop thinking of how impressive Tony Pollard looked while I was in Oxnard for two days,” Brandt tweeted.  “I know Cowboys want to sign Zeke, but they have great insurance in Pollard. Either way, he’ll be involved this year.”

Though many still expect Zeke to report, Le’Veon Bell proved this can’t be taken for granted. The Cowboys offense isn’t as explosive as the Steelers, but they similarly offer a Top-Five offensive line and prefer riding a single horse. Pollard would offer similar sneaky-RB1 upside if Zeke remains absent and secures the workhorse role Jones hinted at.

There’s still plenty of hurdles here: Zeke could report at any moment. Alfred Morris was recently brought in and could form a committee.

But Pollard’s upside is untoppable at his current price beyond Round 12.

Author

  • Founder of Roto Street Journal. Lover of workhorse backs, target hog wideouts, and Game of Thrones. Aspiring to be the "Brady" and "Leo" of the fantasy universe.

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