In the last 10 years, five running backs have been taken in the top 10. Four of the five (Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Leonard Fournette and Todd Gurley) had 229 carries or more in their rookie season. The fifth (Christian McCaffrey) had only 117 carries but added 80 catches. When teams draft backs in the top 10, like Bijan Robinson, they use them a lot.

Related players: Tyler Allgeier, Cordarrelle Patterson

The author went on to say Allgeier will still get plenty of use because the Falcons ran the ball an NFL-high 559 times last year. So even if Robinson carries the ball 250 times, there are still plenty of carries to go around. Patterson’s role is a little bit more of a mystery, the story added. He'll be third on the team in carries, according to the author, but how far back he’s going to be is a question mark. The prediction is Patterson's 144 carries from a year ago could get cut in half this season.

The Patriots are expected to sign former Cowboys star RB Ezekiel Elliott to a 1-year deal worth up to $6M after his successful FA visit earlier in camp.

Related players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr., J.J. Taylor, Kevin Harris

As Rapoport added, New England loves Stevenson, but they’ve been seeking a running back to bang it between the tackles, while adding Elliott's prowess in pass blocking at the same time. The move seemed to be in the works for a while. Elliott is expected to take on a Damien Harris-type role in the Patriots offense, a role that saw Harris collect about 9-10 carries a game last season in 11 games. He ran for 4.36 YPA and added three TDs. Although older than Harris, Elliott could potentially see a similar workload, and he also has some pass-catching ability as well. Still, Elliott will likely be tough to trust even as a flex, at least early in the season until we see his role.

The Patriots are hosting free agent RB Ezekiel Elliott on a visit today. The team has also had Dalvin Cook on its radar as it examines backfield additions behind starter Rhamondre Stevenson.

Related Players: Rhamondre Stevenson, Pierre Strong Jr, Ty Montgomery

This would be a gigantic damper on Stevenson's early down role, but it looks like the team is determined to find a FA veteran RB in the mix. Hopefully a prospective signing will continue to put a damper on his ADP, as he should still have a majority role in the offense.

Cowboys RB Tony Pollard (thigh) will be inactive tonight against the Titans.

Related Players: Ezekiel Elliott, Malik Davis

NFL Network reporter Mike Garafolo has called this a breakout game for Malik Davis, who the team is high on. Whether or not this hyperbole could be debated, but the Titans are sitting a ton of starters, so there could be something to his statement. Elliot is a locked-in RB2, regardless.

Tony Pollard is going to really have to show the Cowboys he can go tonight in his pregame workout. If not, they’ll exercise caution and sit him. Malik Davis would then see an increased role behind Ezekiel Elliott.

It's hard to say exactly what kind of a role Malik Davis would have tonight, but the Cowboys are 12.5-point favorites, so you have to wonder how long they'll keep Zeke in the game if that game script plays out. If Pollard sits, Elliot should be a confident RB2, but you would have to be in a desperate mode to play Davis in your Flex during Championship Week.

Jerry Jones on 1053thefan on Ezekiel Elliott (knee): “We are a better team when we’ve got him and got him available. Defenses are well aware, more than anybody of his impact and his availability. I’m glad to have him back, and it does look like he’s gonna be available (Sunday).”

Related Players: Tony Pollard

From the main man himself, it looks like Zeke will be available and, presumably, on the field for Sunday's action against the Vikings. The struggle continues for Tony Pollard managers, and neither can be considered an RB1 play if they're both on the field.

Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott is expecting to return vs. the Vikings after missing two games with a hyperextended knee. “I’m definitely very optimistic about this week. Barring any setbacks the next couple of days, I’m feeling good…I think I’m in a good spot.” He will wear a brace.

Related Players: Tony Pollard

The Cowboys have shown time and again that they are willing to run Zeke until his wheels fall off, much to the chagrin of Tony Pollard managers. If Elliott is indeed good to go, expect the team to revert back to the 1A/1B committee, which leaves both options closer to the RB2 range than the RB1 range.

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones on RB Ezekiel Elliott playing vs. Packers next week: "Yes, I expect Zeke back against Green Bay."

Related Players: Tony Pollard

With the Cowboys on bye in Week 9, Elliott has extra time to heal his knee sprain. That's upsetting for Tony Pollard's fantasy managers after the stud running back earned 131 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his first start of the season last week. Elliott will no doubt return as the 1A option if he is indeed good to go next week.

With the Cowboys expected to be without Ezekiel Elliott on Sunday vs. the Bears, Tony Pollard is in line to see significant work in his fourth career start. Malik Davis, Qadree Ollison may both be brought up Saturday from the practice squad; the Cowboys have had three RBs active each game so far.

It's been a while since Tony Pollard's most recent official start (12/20/2020), but the 18 touches and 132 scrimmage yards he accrued would be a nice fantasy boost here in Week 8, 2022. He is currently ranked as a top-ten option against a Bears defense that ranks 26th in aFPA to the running back position.