8-1-23 Bo ~ Host Football Talk
We are a few days away from the first preseason game of the year in the Hall of Fame game on the 4th and there are still some running backs that still aren't on rosters. Zeke is not the athlete that he once was when he signed his big contract with Dallas years ago however there are still teams out there that I believe could use his talents as an inexpensive situational back or as a placeholder for the return of injured featured backs. He did visit with the Patriots, they would benefit from having a capable back behind Mac although it didn't look as there was much traction in that visit. I say all of that to say this, the Seattle Seahawks have found themselves with another season of running back concerns with Walker now out with a groin injury and Charbonnet out because of his shoulder. Pete Carroll has both of them listed as out indefinitely which coming from a team that hasn't had a starting running back make through the season without landing on IR since 2014 they will yet again need to look at I viable option. Although Dallas is a solid back for the Hawks, Elliott would be an upgrade from that if they were so inclined to take a flier on him ahead of week one with unclear return dates of their 2nd round Rookie and Walker who was in the Offensive Rookie of the Year debate until his injury late in the season. It absolutely made sense for the Cowboys to move on from Zeke and it was a move I was predicting during last season but the fact that he's not on a roster at all is surprising even considering a drop in production and his injuries over the last couple years.
The running back market is also in a weird place where teams are looking to move off some top talent instead of paying them. Even guys like Darrick Henry that are in the last years of their contracts, teams are looking to trade away. The league has become primarily geared towards passing although it's tough to win in the post season without a good running game. This is where Zeke could also be good as added depth if a team ends up with an injury later in the year. Since the Seahawks potentially start the season without either of their featured backs it could be an opportunity for Elliott to show he can still be effective, keep the Hawks offense on track and potentially create some more interest around the league. With the Hawks he might get waived upon the return of their starters but putting out some good tape he could make a second roster before the end of the season
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