Tony Pollard

Tony Pollard

25-Year-Old Running BackRB
Dallas Cowboys
Questionable
Injury Ankle
Est. Return 8/1/2023
2022 Fantasy Outlook
In his third NFL season, Pollard topped 1,000 scrimmage yards for the first time as his workload increased without negatively impacting his per-touch efficiency. The Memphis product is a big- play threat, showing elite burst and speed and above-average receiving skills, and despite being slightly undersized he's proven he can gain yards between the tackles. Along with Seattle's Rashaad Penny, Pollard was one of only two backs in the league last year to finish top five in both yards before contact per carry and yards after contact per carry, demonstrating he didn't always need help from his offensive line to make an impact. That's probably a good thing, as the Cowboys added new starters at left guard and right tackle this offseason to a unit that has seen better days (though it still has Tyron Smith at LT and Zack Martin at RG). Ezekiel Elliott remains the starter, with his contract guaranteed through this year, but he already appears on the downside of his career at 26. Pollard is on the final year of his rookie deal, and another big year on a per-touch basis — perhaps with another bump in volume as well — should line him up for a big payday next offseason. Read Past Outlooks
RANKS
$Signed a one-year, $10.1 million contract with the Cowboys in March of 2023.
Signs franchise tag
RBDallas Cowboys
Ankle
March 23, 2023
Pollard (ankle) signed his franchise tag with the Cowboys on Thursday, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Pollard signing his franchise tag sets him up to play out the 2023 season on a one-year, $10.1 million salary, though he and the Cowboys still have until July 17 to negotiate a long-term deal. With Ezekiel Elliott having been released by Dallas, Pollard currently stands as the clear No. 1 running back on the team's depth chart, potentially priming him to build upon the 1,378 scrimmage yards season he logged in 2022. By all accounts, the Cowboys expect Pollard -- who underwent ankle surgery in late January -- to be ready for training camp.
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NFL Stats
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Fantasy/Red Zone Stats
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Advanced NFL Stats
How do Tony Pollard's 2022 advanced stats compare to other running backs?
This section compares his advanced stats with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average. The longer the bar, the better it is for the player.
  • Broken Tackle %
    The number of broken tackles divided by rush attempts.
  • Positive Run %
    The percentage of run plays where he was able to gain positive yardage.
  • % Yds After Contact
    The percentage of his rushing yards that came after contact.
  • Avg Yds After Contact
    The average rushing yards he gains after contact.
  • Rushing TD %
    Rushing touchdowns divided by rushing attempts. In other words, how often is he scoring when running the ball.
  • Touches Per Game
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) he is averaging per game
  • % Snaps w/Touch
    The number of touches (rushing attempts + receptions) divided by offensive snaps played.
  • Air Yards Per Game
    The number of air yards he is averaging per game. Air yards measure how far the ball was thrown downfield for both complete and incomplete passes. Air yards are recorded as a negative value when the pass is targeted behind the line of scrimmage. All air yards data is from Sports Info Solutions and does not include throwaways as targeted passes.
  • Air Yards Per Snap
    The number of air yards he is averaging per offensive snap.
  • % Team Air Yards
    The percentage of the team's total air yards he accounts for.
  • % Team Targets
    The percentage of the team's total targets he accounts for.
  • Avg Depth of Target
    Also known as aDOT, this stat measures the average distance down field he is being targeted at.
  • Catch Rate
    The number of catches made divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Drop Rate
    The number of passes he dropped divided by the number of times he was targeted by the quarterback.
  • Avg Yds After Catch
    The number of yards he gains after the catch on his receptions.
  • % Targeted On Route
    Targets divided by total routes run. Also known as TPRR.
  • Avg Yds Per Route Run
    Receiving yards divided by total routes run. Also known as YPRR.
Broken Tackle %
20.2%
 
Positive Run %
80.8%
 
% Yds After Contact
71.7%
 
Avg Yds After Contact
3.7
 
Rushing TD %
4.7%
 
Touches Per Game
14.5
 
% Snaps w/Touch
42.7%
 
Air Yards Per Game
4.7
 
Air Yards Per Snap
0.14
 
% Team Air Yards
1.7%
 
% Team Targets
9.9%
 
Avg Depth of Target
1.4 Yds
 
Catch Rate
70.9%
 
Drop Rate
5.5%
 
Avg Yds After Catch
9.1
 
% Targeted On Route
22.3%
 
Avg Yds Per Route Run
1.50
 
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2022
2021
2020
2019
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2021 NFL Game Log
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2020 NFL Game Log
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Snap Distribution / Depth Chart
Snap Counts
Snap %
Dallas CowboysCowboys 2022 RB Snap Distribution See more data like this | See last season's snap counts
#% of Team Snaps

60949%
00%
60248%
00%
817%
00%
60%
00%
20%
00%
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Receiving Alignment Breakdown
See where Tony Pollard lined up on the field and how he performed at each spot.
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2022 Tony Pollard Split Stats
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Measurables Review View College Player Page
How do Tony Pollard's measurables compare to other running backs?
This section compares his draft workout metrics with players at the same position. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that metric and it would be considered average.
Height
6' 0"
 
Weight
209 lbs
 
40-Yard Dash
4.52 sec
 
Vertical Jump
35.0 in
 
Broad Jump
121 in
 
Bench Press
13 reps
 
Hand Length
9.50 in
 
Arm Length
30.00 in
 
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
Heading into his third NFL campaign, Pollard remains at the top of the 'What If?" list among running backs. As the backup to a workhorse like Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard's only chances for big performances come when Zeke is banged up or the Cowboys are blowing out the opposition, and there were no such opportunities in the latter category in 2020. Pollard did start Week 15 against the 49ers with Elliott on the sidelines though, and he turned just 18 touches into 132 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns. The Memphis product has breakaway speed in the open field while flashing the toughness and burst necessary to gain yards between the tackles. He's also proven to be more than adequate as a pass catcher, and while he came into the league as a liability in pass protection, Pollard has shown enough improvement in that area to earn the trust of the coaching staff and see some work on third downs. Elliott's massive contract, and accompanying cap hit, probably lock him into the top spot on the depth chart through 2022. Barring a serious injury to Elliott, Pollard may have to make do with single-digit touches most weeks, despite his clear upside should he ever secure the lead role.
Selected in the fourth round of last year's draft, Pollard wasn't expected to be much more than a gadget player while stuck behind Ezekiel Elliott. The rookie quickly proved he could make a big impact when he got the chance, erupting for 128 yards and a touchdown on only 16 touches Week 3 against the Dolphins. He later topped that performance Week 15 against the Rams, piling up 143 yards and a score on 14 touches. Those two games accounted for more than half his rushing yards for the season, however, as he saw six touches or fewer in half of the Cowboys' games. Pollard's blend of speed, elusiveness and surprising power made him tough to bring down, and among backs who got at least 80 carries last season, he led the league with 3.6 yards per carry after contact. He also flashed some ability as a receiver, increasing the ways in which offensive coordinator Kellen Moore could get him involved. As long as Elliott is healthy, Pollard doesn't figure to take many carries, but the second-year pro is at least capable of efficient production when game flow works in his favor.
Selected in the fourth round out of Memphis, Pollard ran a 4.3 40-yard dash at his pro day and has a golden opportunity to win the No. 2 RB job in Dallas given the lack of an established backup behind Ezekiel Elliott, who is holding out for a new contract. Pollard's college resume suggests he's a better fit as a return man and gadget player than a full-time running back, however, and he may be a bigger threat to Tavon Austin's roster spot than a true handcuff for Zeke. Still, if he shows his big-play potential in the preseason, new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore may try to find ways to get the ball in his hands.
More Fantasy News
Officially franchise tagged
RBDallas Cowboys
Ankle
March 6, 2023
The Cowboys placed the franchise tag on Pollard (ankle) on Monday, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.
ANALYSIS
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Should be ready for training camp
RBDallas Cowboys
Ankle
February 28, 2023
The Cowboys expect Pollard (leg/ankle) to be ready for training camp, Jon Machota of The Athletic reports.
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Big year ahead of free agency
RBDallas Cowboys
Ankle
January 27, 2023
Pollard (ankle) carried the ball 193 times for 1,007 yards and nine touchdowns and caught 39 of 55 targets for 371 yards and an additional three TDs though 16 games in 2022.
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Surgery completed
RBDallas Cowboys
Ankle
January 24, 2023
Pollard underwent a tightrope procedure Monday to address the left high-ankle sprain he sustained during Sunday's 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the divisional round of the playoffs, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
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Requires surgery
RBDallas Cowboys
Lower Leg
January 22, 2023
Pollard suffered a fractured left fibula and a high-ankle sprain during Sunday's 19-12 loss to the 49ers in the divisional round and will require offseason surgery on the former injury, Todd Archer of ESPN.com reports.
ANALYSIS
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