Dallas Cowboys Expected to Franchise Tag RB Pollard

The Dallas Cowboys are unlikely to take any chances with their leading rusher this offseason. According to Tony Pauline of profootballnetwork.com, the team is likely to place the franchise tag on running back Tony Pollard.

While all the focus is on SB57, fantasy managers will have half an eye on pending free agents. On Monday, @TonyPauline provided an update for @PFN365 into what he is hearing in regards to three pending FA RBs https://t.co/chJxNXGnJM
— Ben Rolfe (@BenRolfePFN) February 7, 2023

Pollard led the Cowboys with his 1007 rushing yards this season and earned his first Pro Bowl. Unfortunately, he suffered a significant leg injury in the Divisional Round of the playoffs, complicating his free agency this offseason. The franchise tag may be the best option for all parties involved; he could earn approximately $10 million guaranteed this season while recuperating or even negotiating a long-term deal.

Pollard thoroughly outplayed his backfield mate Ezekiel Elliot in 2022; Pollard averaged 62.9 rushing yards per game at 5.2 yards per attempt to Elliot's 58.4 rushing yards per game and 3.8 yards per attempt. The Cowboys aren't expected to part with Elliot, but Pollard could be in line for a larger workload next season assuming his recovery goes as planned. Another big season could land him a contract somewhere in the range of $12-13 million per year, similar to the deals recently signed by Joe Mixon, Dalvin Cook, and Aaron Jones.