Ezekiel Elliott a 'three-down back'?

The Patriots are unsurprisingly happy so far to have RB Ezekiel Elliott on board. (Otherwise, why would they have signed him?) Coaches have praised his football intelligence and communication with new teammates. The most noteworthy comment, though, seems like OC Bill O'Brien telling ESPN's Mike Reiss, "I do think he's a three-down back." Elliott's receiving fell way off last year, from 2.8 receptions per game in 2021 to just 1.1 in 2022. He also saw the second-fewest pass-blocking reps of his career, according to Pro Football Focus, trailing only a 2017 season in which Elliott was suspended for six games. This might be a throwaway comment from O'Brien. We'd be shocked if New England actually treated Elliott like a challenger to Rhamondre Stevenson's pass-game snaps. But we'll also keep watching for specifics on the new old guy's role. There remains plenty of separation between Stevenson and Elliott in our 2023 PPR rankings.

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.

Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott tallied 12 carries for 27 rushing yards in Week 16 vs. the Broncos. Though the veteran didn’t shine as a runner, he did thrive in the receiving game on Sunday night. Elliott concluded the contest with 9 catches on 11 targets (both team-highs) for 33 yards and a score. All said, he finished the week with 21 PPR points and turned in a fourth-straight game with at least 16 touches. Assuming Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) is out of the lineup again in Week 17, Elliott will be in a position to be an RB2 candidate going up against a Bills defense that ranks as the 13th-best RB matchup per our adjusted fantasy points allowed.

With RB Rhamondre Stevenson (ankle) sidelined, Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott got workhorse usage in Thursday night's win over the Steelers. Zeke played 91% of New England's offensive snaps and handled a whopping 30 of 32 RB opportunities. (RB Ty Montgomery got two targets.) Elliott didn't find much running room but compiled 68 yards on his 22 carries. He was much more effective as a receiver, catching seven of eight targets for 72 yards and the game's first TD. The end result was 140 total yards and the score, which will surely make Elliott a top-12 fantasy RB on the week. It's worth noting that the Patriots played with the lead for 56 minutes of this game, helping Elliott's volume. We can't expect that going forward. But with this type of playing time and opportunity share, Zeke looks like at least a weekly RB2 until Stevenson returns, which is unlikely to happen for at least another game or two.

Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) is active for today’s game vs. the Chargers. Elliott sunk to a season-low 22% snap rate coming off the bye last week and would be a desperation Week 13 fantasy start.

Patriots RB Ezekiel Elliott (thigh) is expected to play vs. the Chargers today, per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport. Elliott registered a season-low 22% snap rate coming off the bye last week. He'd be a desperation Week 13 fantasy play.