Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys running backs Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle have both gotten their share of first-team reps in training camp this summer. In the joint scrimmage with the Los Angeles Rams on Thursday, Dowdle looked very good with his opportunities. With that said, it might've been the best day of camp so far for Elliott, who was decisive in his cuts. His burst was on display as well to hit running lanes and quickly make it to the second and, at times, to the third level of the defense. Dallas' backfield is becoming a compelling storyline to watch for fantasy managers entering 2024, and Sunday's preseason opener against the Rams should help provide some clarity on this situation. As it stands, Elliott should be deemed the early favorite to lead Cowboys backs in snaps and carries this season, as his value in pass protection figures to be invaluable, while Dowdle remains a late-round sleeper with plenty of upside.

When asked about contract talks regarding star wide receiver CeeDee Lamb on Thursday, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he doesn't "have any urgency to get it done." This standoffish stance paints a drastically different picture than Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones did just two weeks back when he said a new offer had been sent and conversations were good. It's an interesting development for Dallas, as Lamb has missed voluntary workouts and mandatory minicamp and is yet to attend training camp despite being subject to fines. Jones' comments swiftly made their way to the Cowboys' fifth-year wideout, and his response was a wry "lol." Even Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott said, "I got urgency for it to happen." It would appear there is some turmoil in Dallas -- at least for the time being -- and while it is likely that Lamb ends his holdout at some point before the season, there is some risk here as he has yet to participate in any football action. The University of Oklahoma alum is currently the second pick off the boards in NFFC ADP as the 1.02 behind running back Christian McCaffrey.

Dallas Cowboys running back Rico Dowdle has had a very good training camp to this point and could be the leader in rushing for the team this season, per The Athletic's Jon Machota and his latest 53-man roster projection. The Cowboys recently signed Royce Freeman (groin), who left camp on Monday with a groin injury with an unclear timeline for a return. Dowdle provides a bit of juice into the Cowboys' backfield, and along with the returning Ezekiel Elliott, should provide a solid one-two combination of backs in an elite offense this season. While Elliott is the current clubhouse leader for the highest number of touches among Dallas running backs, Dowdle may win out in efficiency this season. This Sunday's preseason opener against the Los Angeles Rams should help to paint a clearer picture for fantasy managers, but draft Dowdle as an upside RB4 in drafts in the meantime.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb was placed on the Reserve/Did Not Report List by the Cowboys on Tuesday. The move creates roster space to allow the Cowboys flexibility while Lamb holds out. Lamb and the Cowboys have been in contract negotiations that have caused Lamb to hold out in protest of the lack of a deal. Lamb is coming off a career year in which he caught 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns. Fantasy managers should monitor the situation to see how long it may actually drag out. Despite holding out, Lamb is a surefire top-three pick heading into upcoming fantasy drafts.

Dallas Cowboys running back Royce Freeman (groin) might remain out of practice on Tuesday, and Deuce Vaughn (hamstring) likely won't practice either, head coach Mike McCarthy told reporters. It adds fuel to the breakout case for late-round sleeper Rico Dowdle, who "has been the face of the committee and could be the lead guy during the season. In practices, he's had solid showings in pass protection, flashed receiving ability, and gotten the call to run in high-leverage situations." Starter Ezekiel Elliott remains the best bet for touches and the favorite to lead the Cowboys in carries this year as the incumbent veteran during the early stages of the season, but the speedier Dowdle has stood out at training camp and could push him for work in Dallas' backfield this fall. Sunday's preseason opener against the hosting Los Angeles Rams should offer fantasy managers a clearer picture on the hierarchy here.