Ezekiel Elliott Current Fantasy Relevance and Role
Ezekiel Elliott remains a relevant flex and RB2 option in most 2025 fantasy formats after signing a one-year deal with the Dallas Cowboys in March 2025. The contract is worth up to $10 million with $4 million guaranteed, per ESPN NFL transactions data, and positions him as a change-of-pace back behind rookie starter Deuce Vaughn. In standard scoring, Elliott currently ranks around RB20 to RB25 in most major fantasy platforms, with a slight uptick in half-PPR leagues due to his receiving workload and red-zone usage. He is not a top-10 starter but can outperform ADP in deeper formats where he is often drafted later than his floor suggests.
Elliott's fantasy ceiling is tied directly to Deuce Vaughn's durability and game script, as the Cowboys have leaned on a committee approach early in preseason and training camp reports. The Dallas offensive line, which returned key starters and added veteran depth, provides a stable run-blocking framework that could unlock both backs in the first half of the season. For managers targeting late-round value, Elliott offers a favorable combination of usage, target share, and playoff upside if the Cowboys secure a playoff berth and lean on veteran leadership in November and December.
2025 Projections, ADP, and Usage Trends
Most fantasy projections for Ezekiel Elliott in 2025 place him in the 12 to 18 touchdown range, with 1,000 to 1,200 rushing yards and 50 to 70 receptions, based on early-season depth charts and preseason workload data from ESPN and NFL.com. His average draft position in standard redraft leagues sits around the middle of the third round, making him a value pick for managers who believe the Cowboys will use him more than current ADP suggests. In PPR formats, his receiving role and red-zone targets push his ADP slightly higher, often landing him in the early-to-mid third round.
Elliott's usage rate in preseason scrimmages has been slightly elevated compared to 2024, and he has logged the highest number of touches among Dallas backs in several early practices, according to team-reported injury updates and practice participation data. The Cowboys' schedule features favorable matchups against weaker run defenses in the first half of the season, which could boost his early-season floor and provide a case for streaming him in deeper formats. Managers should monitor weekly snap counts and target share, as any increase in Deuce Vaughn's workload or a change in game script could shift Elliott's value quickly.
Key Factors That Could Shift Elliott's 2025 Fantasy Value
Injury History and Durability Outlook
Elliott has dealt with soft-tissue injuries in recent seasons, including a foot injury that limited his availability late in 2023, and his durability remains a key variable in 2025 fantasy outlooks. The Cowboys' medical staff and training camp workload management will be critical to watch, especially during the preseason and early regular season, as any setback could drop his floor significantly. For now, he is not considered a high-risk injury bet, but managers should avoid relying on him as a must-start RB1 in standard formats.
Comparison to Other Cowboys Backs and League Mates
In the Dallas backfield, Elliott is currently ranked behind Deuce Vaughn and ahead of rookie Trey Benson and veteran backup Rico Dowdle in most fantasy rankings, per NFL.com depth chart updates and team practice reports. Compared to other league-wide RBs with similar ADP, Elliott offers a higher floor due to his consistent target share and red-zone role, but a lower ceiling than first-round backs who lead their offenses. For managers building a balanced roster, Elliott serves as a reliable streaming option or a handc