Former Cowboys star linked to Colts as potential sleeper free agent

The Indianapolis Colts lost Zack Moss in free agency and now need to find a backup running back to sit behind Jonathan Taylor. With Taylor's injury history, it's important to find a running back who can step in and fill a bigger role should Taylor go down for an extended period of time.

Matt Holder of Bleacher Report listed one remaining free agent for every NFL team and had Ezekiel Elliott to fill the Colts' backup running back spot.

"After losing Zack Moss in free agency, Indianapolis could use a backup running back behind Jonathan Taylor. Elliott isn't the player he used to be, but he did log 642 rushing yards while playing second-fiddle to Rhamondre Stevenson in New England last year."

- Matt Holder

Would Ezekiel Elliott make sense for the Colts?

Elliott spent seven years in Dallas after the Cowboys spent the fourth overall pick on him in 2016. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year after rushing for 1,631 yards and coming up six yards shy of 2,000 scrimmage yards in that 2016 season.

The Cowboys released him after the 2022 season and the Patriots took a chance on him. Elliott rushed for 642 yards and three touchdowns and had 955 scrimmage yards and five total touchdowns. He's not the same guy he was early in his career but the Colts wouldn't need him to be that guy. They have Taylor to be their starting running back, Elliott would be the backup.

The rest of the Colts running back depth chart consists of Evan Hull, Tyler Goodson, Trey Sermon, and Zavier Scott, none of whom did much during the course of the 2023 season. Adding Elliott would give the Colts a much better backup running back option should Taylor have to miss some time.