The Dallas Cowboys drafted running back Tony Pollard in the fourth round (128th overall) of the NFL Draft to be a complement to Ezekiel Elliott in the backfield and provide an electric weapon to the offensive arsenal. As a rookie, Pollard showed flashes of why the Cowboys drafted him, recording two 100-yard outings while also proving true as a reliable receiver out of the backfield. He finished his rookie season averaging 5.3 yards-per-rush (86 for 455 yards) with two scores and caught 15 passes for 107 yards with a touchdown. He also showed skills as a kickoff returner, taking back 14 kicks for 245 yards. Entrenched as the backup to Elliott, Pollard improved upon his rookie numbers in 2020, rushing 101 times for 435 yards (4.3) with four touchdowns, catching 28 passes for 193 yards with one score and placed fourth in the NFL with 766 kickoff return yards on 32 returns (23.9), playing in all 16 games with his first two starts. Pollard's 2021 campaign was an improvement on the previous two as he continued to display his versatility, rushing for 719 yards and two touchdowns on 130 carries to average a career-high 5.5 yards-per-clip - good for third in a single-season in club history. He also had 39 catches and 337 yards, while he registered his first career kickoff return touchdown, returning 17 for 489 yards with a 100-yarder on the year. Pollard's fourth season was his best to date, as he set career-highs in carries (193), rushing scores (nine) total touchdowns (12), receiving yards (371), and earned his first 1,000-yard season, leading the team with a career-best 1,007 rushing yards to earn his first Pro Bowl bid. Dallas used the franchise tag on Pollard heading into the 2023 season, and after the departure of longtime workhorse Ezekiel Elliott, Pollard will carry the load as the primary back for the Cowboys.