No. 4: Running Back Ezekiel Elliott
OK, you’re not thinking straight if you are fathoming sitting Ezekiel Elliott after something of a quiet week against the Panthers in Week 1.
True, Zeke found the end zone, finally, after the entire Cowboys offense couldn’t do much of anything against what turned out to be a stout Carolina defense last Sunday. And if you are lucky enough to boast three top-quality running back starters on your lineup, you might be enticed to consider benching Elliott until he and the Dallas offense finally starts to pick things up again.
Well, the Cowboys offense might not figure things out. At least while their offensive line remains a question mark. But let me talk you off the ledge about putting Elliott on your bench this week.
The reason is fairly simple — he’ll be facing the Cowboys’ division rivals this week, the New York Giants, who gave up 137 yards and allowed an average of 4.9 yards per carry against a Jacksonville Jaguars ground game that was without No. 1 running back Leonard Fournette (hamstring) for most of the contest.
And to prime fantasy football owners even more, Dallas’ offensive game plan will look to make Elliott the pinnacle piece in this Week 2 bout in order to keep Giants quarterback Eli Manning and his offensive weapons from doing damage to the Cowboys defense.