Former NFL player Maurice Jones-Drew ranks Cowboys' Tony Pollard 9th among league's starting RBs

Former Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew broke down his rankings of the league’s starting running backs this week, putting Dallas Cowboys star Tony Pollard at No. 9.

Pollard finished 2022 as the team’s leading rusher with 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns. He also added 371 receiving yards on 39 receptions with three more touchdowns.

“The team released Zeke this offseason after watching Pollard thrive in an elevated role last season,” Jones-Drew wrote. “Pollard has always been an efficient rusher, but showed he can still be that type of back when tasked with nearly 200 carries. After all, he had the fewest totes (193) by any 1,000-yard running back in 2022. Pollard should fully establish himself as The Guy in Dallas’ backfield this year — and also grow as a dynamic pass catcher in Mike McCarthy’s offense.”

The Cowboys failed to reach an agreement on a long-term contract for Pollard but kept him on the roster by using the franchise tag. He is now going to receive $10.1 million, fully guaranteed, for the 2023 season.

After suffering a brutal injury in the Cowboys’ final playoff game last season, there wasn’t much leverage Pollard could use to boost his side of the negotiations. Regardless of injury, running backs across the league have been devalued over the last few years, with only a small number reaching megadeals.

Just because Pollard understands the reality of the situation doesn’t mean he doesn’t think his position is worth big money.

“It’s very valuable,” Pollard said after negotiations failed. “You know just what we bring to the game, being able to run the ball, pound the ball, catch out of the backfield, being able to block, so it’s a combination of a lot of different positions in one.”

Pollard ‘pretty much’ back following leg injuries

Tony Pollard said he’s “pretty much” back after suffering a high-ankle sprain that required surgery, as well as a broken fibula, at the end of the 2022 season. The former fourth-round draft pick is now heading into his fifth season in the league.

“I’m feeling pretty good right now, pretty much at 100 percent,” Pollard said, via Jon Machota. “At this point, it’s just on me and the trainers, communicating, being smart, not rushing anything, not getting out there and going full speed too early. Just easing back into it.”

Pollard made the Pro Bowl for the first time in his career as well, though he wasn’t able to participate due to his injury.

With Ezekiel Elliott being released this offseason, more touches are coming Pollard’s way.