Shark Bites are the latest fantasy football news & NFL updates. Draft Sharks has been in business since 1999. And when we started, redraft was the dominant form of fantasy football. Check out what we've learned about this most basic form of fantasy football along the way.
The Chargers signed RB Ezekiel Elliott. He's a depth signing for a team that's been without RB Gus Edwards the last two games. Elliott mustered just 3.1 yards per carry with the Cowboys this season, ranking 54th among 57 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' rushing grades. The Chargers are in trouble if Elliott is forced into a significant role this postseason. You can ignore him in NFL playoff fantasy contests.
The Cowboys released RB Ezekiel Elliott. "Out of respect and appreciation for Zeke and wanting to provide him with an opportunity to pursue any potential playoff participation possible, we are releasing him from the Cowboys roster today," owner Jerry Jones said in a statement. We don't expect playoff teams to be tripping over themselves to add Elliott, who's averaging 3.1 yards per carry this season. Zeke has continued to get snaps near the goal line lately, so his absence boosts RB Rico Dowdle's TD chances in Sunday's finale vs. the Commanders.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle tied his career high with 22 touches in Sunday's win over the Commanders. He carried 19 times -- second most this season -- and caught all 3 targets. Dowdle tallied 86 yards on the ground (4.5 per carry) and 12 yards receiving (4.0 per catch). He watched the team's only two offensive TDs go elsewhere.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle went for just 56 total yards in Sunday's lopsided loss to the Eagles. He rushed 12 times for 53 (4.4 per rush) and added only 3 yards on 3 receptions. The positive? Dowdle continued to assert himself as the backfield leader.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle rushed 12 times for 75 yards in Sunday's loss to Atlanta. He delivered in the passing game, catching 5 of 6 targets for 32 yards and 1 score.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott did not travel with the team to Atlanta and won't play vs. the Falcons on Sunday. Zeke is out for disciplinary reasons, according to multiple reports. His absence could mean an expanded role for RB Rico Dowdle. Or RB Dalvin Cook could soak up Elliott's snaps and touches. Dowdle remains the only viable fantasy play in this backfield. His ceiling is a bit higher now than it was a few hours ago.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero talked up RB Dalvin Cook ahead of the veteran's first game with the Cowboys on Sunday night against the 49ers. Someone must have forgotten to tell Cook or the team how good he had looked in practice, though. Cook carried six times for just 12 yards and added a 10-yard catch on his lone target. He trailed RB Ezekiel Elliott in carries, yards, and yards per rush, and watched Elliott claim the team's only rushing TD.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle (illness) will be inactive for tonight's game vs. the 49ers, NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports. That'll leave the backfield to Dalvin Cook, Ezekiel Elliott, and Hunter Luepke. Cook is the best fantasy bet if you were planning to start Dowdle, but it's a backfield to avoid if possible.
NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reports that Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle "became sick upon arriving" at the stadium for tonight's game and is now questionable.
Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott led Rico Dowdle in playing time (28 snaps to 29), pass routes (14-11), and carries (8-5) in Sunday's loss to the Lions. He turned that into just 17 rushing yards and 0 targets. Dowdle rushed for 25 yards (5.0 per carry) and caught five balls for 30 yards. He tied for third on the team in targets (6) and ranked second in receptions.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle edged Ezekiel Elliot for the backfield lead in Sunday's 44-19 loss to the Saints. Dowdle carried seven times to Elliott's six and beat Elliott 5-3 in targets. He tallied 30 yards rushing (4.3 per carry) and 29 receiving (7.3 per catch). Elliott went 6-16 rushing and 2-16 receiving. Second-year RB Deuce Vaughn also mixed in for 4-11 rushing and a 6-yard catch. He bumped from just two snaps in the opener to 10 against New Orleans.
RB Rico Dowdle carried more buzz out of camp and preseason, but RB Ezekiel Elliott led the Week 1 backfield in opportunities and production. Elliott carried 10 times for 40 yards and the team's lone rushing score from 3 yards out) in Sunday's win at Cleveland. He added 2 receptions for 9 yards on 2 targets. Dowdle went 8-26 on the ground and caught his lone target for 6 yards.
Cowboys RB Dalvin Cook will not play in today’s opener vs. the Browns. Not a big surprise after he joined the team less than two weeks ago. NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero said this morning that Cook has looked good in practice and might play in the next week or two. Pelissero also said to expect a “pretty even split” of carries between RBs Rico Dowdle and Ezekiel Elliott.
The Athletic's Jon Machota considers RB Rico Dowdle the favorite to lead the Cowboys in carries and rushing yards this season. Dowdle impressed with his explosion and pass-catching ability throughout camp, Machota writes.
RB Dalvin Cook has signed with the Dallas Cowboys. Cook played with the New York Jets for most of the 2023 season before being released and signing with the Baltimore Ravens for their playoff run.
Cowboys RB Rico Dowdle was mentioned as "battling it out" with RB Malik Davis by EVP Stephen Jones. He was highly complimentary of RB Royce Freeman.
The Cowboys and RB Ezekiel Elliott have agreed to a contract, NFL Network reports. It's a reunion after Elliott spent his first seven seasons in Dallas. The 28-year-old mustered just 3.8 yards per carry in his last season with the Cowboys and then averaged 3.5 yards per carry for the Patriots last year. Elliott ranked 29th among 42 qualifiers in Pro Football Focus' 2022 rushing grades and 41st among 49 last year. There's very little gas left in this tank, although Elliott still proved capable of handling big workloads down the stretch last season. He averaged 14.8 carries and 6.5 targets over the final six weeks. The Cowboys are desperate for RB help after losing Tony Pollard in free agency and failing to land a RB in the draft. Elliott just might be the favorite to lead the backfield in touches ahead of Rico Dowdle, Deuce Vaughn, and Royce Freeman. He's still not an exciting fantasy pick. We'll see where his ADP settles.
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