Can Rico Dowdle Thrive in the Cowboys’ Running Back Committee?

One week into the Cowboys’ 2024 season, the running back committee featuring Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott hasn’t produced significant results. Can this strategy still succeed?

The Dallas Cowboys have committed to a running back committee for the 2024 season. With Ezekiel Elliott sharing snaps with Rico Dowdle and others, the team aims to balance the workload and keep players fresh for the long haul.

Running Back Committee: The Plan for Dallas

In the Cowboys’ season opener against the Cleveland Browns, all four of the team’s running backs saw action. Elliott remained the primary back, but he and Dowdle alternated drives throughout the game. Despite this rotation, the results were mixed.

During an interview prior to the game, Elliott expressed excitement about the committee system, viewing it as an opportunity to preserve energy for the postseason. The Cowboys have historically leaned too heavily on a single back, often resulting in injuries or fatigue. The new approach could prevent a repeat of that issue by spreading the workload.

Rico Dowdle’s Role and Potential

Dowdle brings a different style to the backfield compared to Elliott. He is a powerful runner who can break through defenses and rack up significant yardage. While Elliott looked sharp in the opener, even scoring a touchdown, the rotation with Dowdle shows promise for the Cowboys’ offense as it continues to evolve.

Although Dowdle didn’t shine in the first game, the team is still fine-tuning its run game strategy. Given time, Dowdle is likely to see more opportunities and make a greater impact.

Leveraging Unique Skill Sets

Beyond Elliott and Dowdle, the Cowboys also have Deuce Vaughn, a smaller and elusive back who can slip through defensive lines. His limited action in the opener leaves room for growth in future games, where his agility could be a valuable asset.

The committee approach allows the Cowboys to capitalize on each back’s unique strengths. By rotating players, they keep the defense off-balance and force them to adapt to different running styles.

Dowdle’s Time to Shine

While the Browns’ defense may not have been ideal for Dowdle’s breakout performance, future opponents will offer better opportunities. With consistent rotation, Dowdle will have his moment to dominate against defenses suited to his power-running style.

The Cowboys’ committee system is designed to play to each back’s strengths, and it’s only a matter of time before Dowdle makes his mark.

Source: https://lastwordonsports.com/nfl/2024/09/11/rico-dowdle-and-cowboys-rbs/