DALLAS — The Dallas Cowboys selected Memphis Tigers running back Tony Pollard with the 128th overall pick in Round 4 of the 2019 NFL draft Saturday.
While the Cowboys didn't take a running back in the first three rounds as was hinted at, the club did find a way to back up bell cow Ezekiel Elliott, who has won the NFL rushing title in two of his three seasons in the NFL.
The redshirt junior has the ability to be effective both as a runner and also in the passing game. In 2018, Pollard caught 39 passes for 458 yards and three touchdowns along with his 78 carries for 552 yards and six touchdowns.
Pollard played behind running backs Darrell Henderson and Patrick Taylor, who relegated Pollard's rushing totals to third-best on the team. However, as a pass-catcher, Pollard's 458 receiving yards were the second-best on the team behind receiver Damonte Coxie.
Another area where the 6-0, 208-pound running back will have utility for the Cowboys is as a returner. In his three seasons with the Tigers, Pollard collected seven kickoff return touchdowns and averaged 30.1 yards per return. His most productive season as a returner was in 2017 when he returned 22 times for 881 yards and four touchdowns.
Though the NFL seems to be getting away from the kickoff, Pollard said at the NFL combine he would not let it affect him.
"I don't want to say it can hurt me," Pollard said. "Kick return isn't all that I do. I also am a weapon on offense. They might be trying to take the kick return away, but it's still a thing in the game plan."
One element that Pollard would bring to the Cowboys offense is speed, having run a 4.52 in the 40-yard dash at the NFL combine in Indianapolis. Pollard was a speedy complement to Henderson and would be the same for Elliott.
The Cowboys could also line up Pollard wide, even though he feels it would be "cheating."
Said Pollard: "It's really cheating honestly. Running with a linebacker, knowing you have the advantage speed-wise and skill set-wise. It's fun, but it's really cheating honestly."
Pollard was one of the Cowboys' visits, but they did not visit with him at the NFL combine. The Memphis Melrose High product was at the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama, within a week after he declared for the NFL draft.
"I am not a one-trick pony," said Pollard. "I am help on offense, special teams, a lot of ways. Being able to do everything really."
Do you like that the Cowboys used some of their draft resources to bring in a backup for Zeke? Share your thoughts on the selection with Mark on Twitter @therealmarklane.