The Dallas Cowboys have always been known as a dominant rushing team.
But, in recent years they have taken a step back in terms of rushing effectiveness.
The Cowboys ranked tied for ninth in the NFL in rushing yards per game in 2021.
In 2020, they ranked 17th in the league in rushing.
For most great rushing teams, you can only be as good as your offensive line.
The Dallas offensive line has been ravaged by injuries in the past two seasons.
This season has not gotten off to a good start either.
OT Tyron Smith is expected to miss multiple months with a hamstring injury.
Which does the run game no favors, but the Cowboys have not had Smith for a full season since 2015.
In addition, Dallas has struggled at the left guard position.
But, they are looking to shore that up this season.
New Starting Left Guard
For the first time since 2014, the Cowboys selected an offensive lineman in the first round of the NFL Draft.
That player was Tyler Smith from Tulsa.
Smith was seen as an offensive tackle by many before going to Dallas.
The Cowboys see Smith as their future left guard and that is where he will start for them.
Cowboys running behind first-round pick Tyler Smith pic.twitter.com/TTqRCa0XKA
— Jon Machota (@jonmachota) August 21, 2022
The 6-foot-5, 332-pound lineman has shown flashes of greatness in run blocking throughout the preseason.
Smith, along with good fortune in the health department, could unlock the Cowboys’ running game.
Dallas’ Two-Headed Monster
Another reason the Cowboys run offense should be a lot better this season is the health of their two great running backs.
Ezekiel Elliott and Tony Pollard have formed an elite one-two punch and should give Dallas a jolt on the ground.
In six seasons, Elliott has won the rushing title two times and has four 1,000-yard seasons.
While Pollard has not gotten the touches Elliott has, the former Memphis Tiger might be the most explosive player in the NFL.
According to Player Profiler, Pollard was number two in the NFL in yards per touch with 6.2.
Also, he was number three in the league in breakaway run rate.
Meaning 8.5% of his carries went for 15 or more yards.
Pollard is one of the most explosive players in the NFL and Dallas must find a way to get him the ball more.
As long as Elliott is the big-money guy he will get the majority of the touches.
But, the former first-round pick has so many touches in his career that it might be time to split the work.
Career NFL rush atts (age):
Ezekiel Elliott – 1,650 (27)
Derrick Henry – 1,401 (28)
Joe Mixon – 1,104 (26)
Dalvin Cook – 1,018 (27)
Leonard Fournette – 943 (27)
Alvin Kamara – 912 (27)
Nick Chubb – 908 (26)
Aaron Jones – 822 (27)
James Conner – 734 (27)
Saquon Barkley – 659 (25)— Adam Koffler (@AdamKoffler) August 22, 2022
The only issue for Dallas is that the NFL has transformed into a passing league.
So, establishing the run is not as important as it once was.
Dallas could use the run game to help set up play-action passes and other offensive opportunities.
Not every run play has to be up the middle.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore must be creative with the ways to get his running backs the ball.
Jet sweeps, reverses, and pre-snap motion all can be good ways to get a chunk play.
With Dallas limited at wide receiver to start the season, getting the ball to their most skilled players is always a good idea.
That means CeeDee Lamb, along with Pollard and Elliott, will have a big role to start the year and the Cowboys will need them to produce.
NEXT: The Cowboys Suffer A Huge Injury Blow On Offense