Dallas Cowboys running back Malik Davis Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Is Malik Davis the Cowboys RB of the future?

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 12/31/22

At just 25, and on the verge of his first 1,000-yard season, running back Tony Pollard may have played himself into a big-money free agent deal with a team that’s not the Dallas Cowboys next season.

And with Ezekiel Elliott not looking like the player he used to be, rookie Malik Davis could be auditioning for a more sizeable role in the Cowboys’ offense beyond this season.

“Malik did a hell of a job today just filling in for (Pollard) and filling in that role," Elliott said following Dallas’ 27-13 win over the Tennessee Titans on Thursday, via Sports Illustrated’s Zach Dimmitt. "That one drive (third of the first quarter), he got us going pretty good. … He played really good ball.”

Malik Davis has WHEELS ‍♂️pic.twitter.com/TLFDxQqWff
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) December 30, 2022

Davis had the best performance of his five-game rookie season against the Titans, leading the Cowboys in rushing with 39 yards on 10 carries while adding another 23 yards on two receptions. He’s averaging 4.3 yards per carry on 33 rushes while contributing a combined 205 yards rushing and receiving.

The 24-year-old tailback showed during the preseason two of his best skills — speed and violence. Davis ran for 132 yards and a touchdown while averaging 4.3 yards per carry through three preseason contests, breaking multiple runs of 10 yards or more.

Malik davis time!#CowboysNation pic.twitter.com/apHC5i4aDd
— Diggs (@gsiller23) December 29, 2022

Elliott looked to be a perennial Pro Bowl RB in his first four seasons, rushing for over 1,350 yards in three of those four years with 40 touchdowns over that span. But his production has fallen off since 2020 with just one 1,000-yard season since.

But should Pollard leave for greener pastures, Elliott, who has 866 yards through 14 games this year and over 900 yards the two seasons prior, has proven to be a solid No. 1 option if Dallas wants to work Davis into the running back rotation next year.

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