FANTASY FOOTBALL NEWS

Ezekiel Elliott Leads Week 1 Backfield

By Matt Schauf | Updated on Mon, Sep 9 2024 1:37 AM UTC

RB Rico Dowdle carried more buzz out of camp and preseason, but RB Ezekiel Elliott led the Week 1 backfield in opportunities and production. Elliott carried 10 times for 40 yards and the team's lone rushing score from 3 yards out) in Sunday's win at Cleveland. He added 2 receptions for 9 yards on 2 targets. Dowdle went 8-26 on the ground and caught his lone target for 6 yards.

2024 Fantasy Football Impact

The results don't necessarily match the roles here. Elliott and Dowdle appeared to alternate drives as the lead back. Elliott benefited from being on the field for the team's longest drive of the first half, which he finished with his TD run.

Dowdle was on the field for the team's first TD, a 21-yard pass to WR Brandin Cooks. Elliott played four more snaps than Dowdle in all, 32-28.

Expect these alternating turns to continue, until/unless one shows the coaches that he deserves more time.

Deuce Vaughn played just two snaps as the only other HB.

Expect Elliott and Dowdle to again land close together in RB3 range in our Week 2 rankings for a home date with the Saints.

It's also worth noting that the Cowboys went 59% pass vs. 41% run in a game they led handily most of the way and won by 16.

Matt Schauf, Editor

Matt has earned two Fantasy Pros accuracy awards for IDP rankings and won thousands of dollars as a player across best ball, dynasty, and high-stakes fantasy formats. He has been creating fantasy football content for more than 20 years, with work featured by Sporting News, Rotoworld, Athlon, Sirius XM, and others. He's been with Draft Sharks since 2011.