Ezekiel Elliott Current Contract and Cap Impact
Ezekiel Elliott is under contract with the Dallas Cowboys through the 2025 season with a base salary of 16.5 million dollars for 2024 and a cap hit of 17.0 million dollars, according to OverTheCap. His deal includes a 2025 base of 17.0 million and a cap hit of 17.5 million, making him one of the highest-paid running backs in the league. Trading Elliott would remove 17.0 million in cap space from the Cowboys' books in 2024 and free up significant roster flexibility for Dallas, as noted on Spotrac. The question for fantasy managers and team builders is whether his on-field production justifies that cost compared to younger or cheaper alternatives.
Elliott's contract structure features a dead cap hit of 17.0 million if the Cowboys release him before the 2025 league year, which means a trade would likely require the Cowboys absorbing part of the salary or receiving draft compensation to offset the cap burden. NFL front offices typically trade veteran running backs with large cap numbers only when they receive a late-round pick or a younger player in return, as explained on ESPN. For a trader evaluating Elliott, the financial terms mean the return package is likely modest, which affects whether the move improves a fantasy roster or a fantasy football trade offer.
Elliott's 2023 and 2024 Production and Injury Profile
In 2023, Ezekiel Elliott rushed for 928 yards and scored 5 touchdowns on 205 carries, averaging 4.5 yards per carry, according to Pro Football Reference. His receiving numbers dropped to 26 catches for 170 yards, signaling a reduced role in the passing game compared to earlier seasons. In 2024, Elliott has continued to carry a heavy workload, logging over 180 touches through the first 10 weeks while maintaining a 4.3 yards per carry average, per NFL.com. These figures place him in the middle tier of fantasy running backs, behind elite backs like Christian McCaffrey and Breece Hall but ahead of many third-down and backup options.
Elliott's injury history includes a Lisfranc sprain in Week 11 of the 2022 season that caused him to miss multiple games and a lingering calf issue in 2023 that limited his late-season availability, as reported by NFL.com. His durability remains a concern for traders because running backs with high touch counts and prior lower-body injuries tend to see declining performance in their late 20s. When considering a trade for Elliott, managers should weigh his current workload and role against the risk of a sudden drop in production or an extended absence due to injury.
Trade Value and Comparison to Other Running Backs
Elliott's Trade Value in the Current NFL Market
Elliott's trade value is rated as a late-round draft pick or a low-end rotational running back in most fantasy trade calculators, reflecting his age, contract, and recent production trends. Teams seeking a short-term boost at running back may view him as a rental option, but the lack of a high-upside upside means he rarely commands a first- or second-round pick in trade discussions, per FantasyPros. For traders, the best use of Elliott is as a filler piece in a trade package to acquire a younger or more durable back, rather than as a standalone trade target.
How Elliott Compares to Other Available Running Backs
Compared to players like Saquon Barkley, Josh Jacobs, and Breece Hall, Elliott ranks lower in both ceiling and floor due to his age and declining burst, according to FantasySharks. Bark