Dallas Cowboys

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy said the team will use a running-back-by-committee approach in 2024, although the exact members of the committee backfield aren't entirely clear yet. At the very least, it should be veteran Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, with Royce Freeman, Deuce Vaughn, Hunter Luepke, Malik Davis, Snoop Conner and rookie Nathaniel Peat competing for roster spots behind them. "Two or three [running backs], whatever it takes," McCarthy said. Elliott has the best credentials with 8,904 career rushing yards, but he won't be asked to do what he did in his first stint with Dallas, when he averaged 268.7 carries per season. He had career-lows in rushing yards (642), touchdowns (three) and carries (184) last year with the Patriots, and those numbers could dip further in 2024 back in Dallas in an RB committee.

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb has not been spotted for the team's mandatory minicamp, according to NFL insider Ian Rapoport. Lamb was also absent for voluntary OTAs, but his absence from mandatory team activities subjects him to fines. The 25-year-old is seeking a contract extension. Wide receivers Justin Jefferson, A.J. Brown, Amon-Ra. St Brown, and Jaylen Waddle all signed deals this offseason that come with an average salary of at least $28.25 million. Meanwhile, DeVonta Smith, Nico Collins, Michael Pittman Jr., and Calvin Ridley also signed high-dollar contracts. After Lamb caught a league-leading 135 passes for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2023, he's likely to surpass the 30 million dollar salary range when he is ultimately extended. His early absence this offseason is not ideal, but it should not concern fantasy managers about his 2024 season availability yet. Lamb is in consideration for the No. 1 overall pick in fantasy football this year, especially in PPR setups.

According to sources, contract talks between the Dallas Cowboys and wide receiver CeeDee Lamb are expected to "speed up" beyond its previous pace since "there's at least a number" with the announcement of Minnesota Vikings receiver Justin Jefferson's record-setting, non-quarterback contract extension on Monday. Jefferson inked a four-year, $140 million extension with the Vikes. Lamb hasn't been in attendance at any of the team's voluntary organized team activities this offseason as he seeks a new contract, which he should get before the start of the 2024 regular season. The 25-year-old led the NFL with 135 receptions last year and went for 1,749 yards and 12 touchdowns, making him an elite, high-end WR1 target for fantasy managers this fall.

As expected, the Dallas Cowboys have been experimenting with using pint-sized running back Deuce Vaughn as a receiver out of the slot during organized team activities this offseason. The second-year back was seen on Thursday at OTAs taking reps out of the slot as head coach Mike McCarthy looks to add some wrinkles to his offense going into Year 2 as the play-caller. Vaughn has also been taking backup returner reps to KaVontae Turpin. The 5-foot-6 running back saw limited action last year in his rookie campaign, getting just 30 touches for 80 scrimmage yards. But with Tony Pollard gone, Vaughn should see an increase in snaps in Year 2 in 2024. However, he's still currently third on the RB depth chart in Dallas behind Ezekiel Elliott and Rico Dowdle, so he's not going to be on the fantasy radar on draft day in standard 12-team leagues.

Dallas Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy reiterated on Thursday at organized team activities that he's "definitely" seen significant progress from backup quarterback Trey Lance. "Now starting to get the timing with the routes. He's close to being a master of the system. He has a really high understanding. He just needs as many reps as he can," McCarthy said. Despite the Cowboys unsurprisingly declining Lance's fifth-year option this offseason, they have liked what they've seen from the former first-round pick (third overall) heading into his second season with the team. The 24-year-old signal-caller has lost most of his dynasty/keeper appeal at this point after not playing a single snap for Dallas in 2023 while sitting behind Dak Prescott. Unless Prescott misses time with an injury that forces Lance into the fold in 2024, he'll be off the redraft radar.