2022 Dynasty Target: Tony Pollard
Next up on Dynasty Targets is Tony Pollard, the dual-threat RB2 who has the potential to be the RB1 for the Dallas Cowboys.
Background
Collegiate Career
Pollard attended the University of Memphis, a hometown choice having grown up in Memphis, Tennessee. He joined the Tigers Football program as a redshirt freshman and played through his junior year. During that time Pollard accumulated 941 rushing yards and 9 rushing touchdowns along with 1292 receiving yards and 9 receiving touchdowns. Tony Pollard is an outstanding dual threat in the backfield. He is very well known for his ability to run the ball effectively and catch the ball effectively. He seems to have translated his success in the NFL from his success in college.
Rookie Season
While only 455 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns may not seem like a lot, Pollard had a very successful rookie season. Among running backs who had at least 45% of 303 rushing attempts during the 2019 NFL regular season, Tony Pollard ranked 7th in PFF offensive grade (82.9), 3rd in PFF rushing grade (84.1), 2nd in PFF run-blocking grade (73.2), 1st in yards after contact per attempt (4.51), and 2nd in PFF elusive rating (116.1). Pollard would continue to produce similar numbers in his second NFL season. This would solidify his role as the RB2 for the Cowboys.
Current Situation
Last season
The 2021 NFL regular season was probably Pollard’s best season so far. He finished with 719 rushing yards, 2 rushing touchdowns, and 337 receiving yards off 39 receptions. Among running backs who had at 45% of 332 rushing attempts last season, Pollard ranked 4th in PFF offensive grade (86.2), 2nd in PFF rushing grade (90.3), 4th in PFF run-blocking grade (74.8), 7th in yards after contact per attempt (3.61), and 11th in PFF elusive rating (76.9). Clear improvements from his rookie season, earning him more playing time in this Dallas offense.
Pollard has also seen improvements in the receiving game. Among RBs who had at least 40% of 94 targets last season, Pollard ranked 4th in percentage of targets caught (88.6), 11th in yards per reception (8.6), 9th in yards after catch per reception (8.8), and 3rd in yards per route run (2.01)
Zeke
Tony Pollard’s numbers so far have looked incredible but somehow isn’t the starting back. That’s because he has been playing behind Ezekiel Elliot, a generational talent who has had almost 1000 rushing yards in every season of his 6 year NFL career. While Elliot has had a successful career, Pollard outranks Zeke in every stat I have mentioned so far.
Last season, Pollard had more yards per rushing attempt, better PFF grades for offense, rushing the ball, and run-blocking, more yards after contact per attempt, and a better PFF elusive rating. In terms of pass-catching, Pollard had more yards per reception, a better PFF receiving grade, more yards after the catch, more yards after the catch per reception, more yards per routes ran, and a better NFL passer rating when targeted.
Outlook
Tony Pollard, soon to be RB1?
The only thing holding Tony Pollard back from being a league-winning player in dynasty is his spot on the Dallas Cowboys depth chart. Pollard has been looking to expand his role in the offense by possibly looking to be a receiver. He is clearly more versatile than his running mate Ezekiel Elliot and plans to improve even more. Pollard should see more and more work for the Cowboys whether Zeke is there or not. And if by chance Zeke would happen to miss games during this season, Pollard should be an automatic RB1 for your dynasty lineup.
Price Range
Always remember to look at the market in your league and see what other teams need. Pollard’s current ADP is 82, which makes him RB29 in PPR dynasty startup drafts according to FantasyPros. This is a great pick to make as you’ll be getting a solid flex player or low-end RB2 in the 7th round.
However, if you are looking to trade for Pollard that might cost you a bit more. According to DynastyLeagueFootball, Pollard is currently being traded for 2nd and 3rd tier position players. Some examples are Pollard and a 2.11 pick for Darnell Mooney, Pollard for Noah Fant and a 2023 2nd round pick, and Pollard and a 2023 3rd round pick for Kadarius Toney.
Pollard is a great value pickup for dynasty leagues and should be rostered in every league. He has the chance to be a league winner at the price of a flex player. Pick him up in your league now.
Thanks for checking out our Dynasty Target article on Tony Pollard. Over the course of the summer make sure to click here for more Dynasty Target articles discussing players for you to acquire this season!
For all your other Dynasty needs, tune in to “Dynasty365“, our weekly Dynasty Podcast, as part of the Fantasy In Frames Podcast Network.
