Mojo Player Spotlight: Tony Pollard, RB, Dallas Cowboys

Finally, you can turn your sports knowledge into real cash by investing in an athlete’s entire career. Prices rise and fall with every hit, huddle, and headline — and you can buy and sell instantly or hold for as long as you want. Three times a week, FTN will feature a player and his Mojo value — is it time to buy, sell, hold or short? Click here to get in on the Mojo action.

Former New York Jets coach Herm Edwards once famously and passionately responded to a reporter’s question with the simple statement, “You play to win the game.” I am currently locked in an epic battle with two of my colleagues in a winner-take-all bragging rights contest on Mojo. We each started with $1,000, and the winner is the one who grows that bankroll the most from now until the Super Bowl. I am currently in second place, which means my strategy needs to change. If I want to “win the game,” I need to be more strategic. That is why I have decided this week to go all in on Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Pollard. 

Tony Pollard Week 8 projections

Tony Pollard has been the more efficient of the two Dallas Cowboys running backs in 2022. Pollard averages 5.6 yards per carry to Ezekiel Elliott’s 4.1. He averages 9.5 yards per reception to Zeke’s 5.3. Yet Zeke continues to see more of the touches with the split being about 60/40 in Zeke’s favor. Last week, the touches ended almost dead even with Zeke seeing 15 to Pollard’s 14. Zeke took a hit in that game that kept him off the field for a couple plays. He did re-enter and ultimately ended up finishing the game, but that contributed to Pollard’s increased role. 

Zeke missed practices Wednesday and Thursday but was able to get onto the field Friday. He’s very questionable for Sunday. Pollard is going to take a bigger role in this game regardless of Zeke’s status. This is also one of the best matchups a running back can have. The Bears are allowing 149.7 yards to opposing running backs, the fourth-worst mark in the league. Zeke may not play at all in this game, but if does he is going to be limited at best. This should be the first game with 15-plus touches for Pollard all season, and it is coming against a defense that ground games have carved up like a Halloween pumpkin this year. 

Tony Pollard Mojo Stock

Every trend for Pollard on Mojo is moving up and to the right. That means his prices are rising in the short, medium and long term. No one is doubting the talent, but he has been lacking the opportunity to take the lion’s share of the work. Pollard has been the better back this year by rushing metrics, receiving metrics, and even just a good old-fashioned eye test if you watch the Cowboys play. He is an explosive runner who will be able to see a big jump in his opportunities against a poor defense Sunday. With or without Zeke active, I expect his price to rise with a big performance. 

In order to “play to win the game,” you have to take chances to try and maximize your profit. Tony Pollard is eligible for a 5X profit boost on Mojo. For those familiar with stock trading, imagine it like buying an option on a stock that has the ability to make you more than buying it outright if it goes up. It also has the ability to lose you more if it goes down, but that is the risk I am willing to take. Pollard is in a position to see his value jump by 20 to 50 cents a share this week with a big game. His share price is relatively low, between $11 and $12. That means every $100 you invest would get you about 9 shares. At 20- to 50-cent potential gain and 5X leverage, that could mean $1 to $2.50 jump per share or a gain of 10-20% on your portfolio in a weekend.