Tony Pollard

Preseason Talk: “It’s a little unfair — he’s certainly not at that level, don’t get me wrong – but a little Kamara to him, as to how he complements Ingram down in New Orleans,” said team chief operating officer Stephen Jones on Saturday night of the NFL draft.

2019 Stats: 49 attempts, 226 yards rushing, 4.6 avg/carry, 1 rushing Td; 5 receptions, 37 yards

In the third round of the 2017 NFL draft, the New Orleans Saints drafted Alvin Kamara to be a complimentary back to Mark Ingram. He ended the season with 120 carries for 728 yards and eight touchdowns. However, what the Cowboys hope to get from Pollard stems more from Kamara’s 81 receptions for 826 yards and five touchdowns.

To this point, Pollard has been reminiscent of Joseph Randle to DeMarco Murray. He’s only been on the field 17% of the offensive snaps and has been involved in fewer plays than that. It’s understood Ezekiel Elliott is the team’s workhorse, but it remains to be answered how Dallas cannot carve a role for a player who averaged 12 yards/rec in college and totaled 18 touchdowns his senior year at Memphis.

Michael Gallup

Preseason Talk: Possible breakout offensive player of the year for Dallas

2019 stats: 33 receptions, 530 yards 16.1 yards/rec, 3 Tds

Through the first five weeks of this season Gallup was averaging 113 yards per game – highest in the NFL. Though we knew that type of production would not last, it’s disappointing he’s averaging a woeful 48 yards/game over the past four games.

Gallup has already matched his 2018 reception total and surpassed his yardage total. His 76-yard day Sunday night was his highest total since week 5, so there is hope his stock is on the rise once again. However, as of now, Gallup appears to have hit the dreaded sophomore wall.

Blake Jarwin

Preseason Talk: Growth was going to be severally hindered by Jason Witten’s return.

2019 stats: 15 receptions, 197 yards, 3 Tds

After excitement arose following his seven-catch, 119 yards, three-touchdown week 17 performance in 2018, Jarwin has yet to replicate any resemblance of that potential. And, unfortunately, most saw this coming. Not because of lack of ability, but because of Witten’s return.

Blake Jarwin’s final four regular season games in 2018:
– 25 targets
– 20 receptions
– 228 receiving yards
– 3 receiving touchdowns
– 57 yards per game
– 11.4 yards per reception

He had four catches for 51 yards in San Francisco (in not even the whole game). He needs to be used.

— RJ Ochoa (@rjochoa) August 11, 2019

Witten’s presence on the field no longer commands the attention it once did against opposing defenses. What used to be a mismatch has now become just another route on the field. Witten has been on the field for 75% of the offensive snaps and has logged 36 catches for 338 yards and two touchdowns.

Dallas has shown an ability to be a vertical offense and it’s just not something Witten is tailored to be in at this point in his career.