In a surprising turn of events, the Dallas Cowboys are placing their bets on a new face to lead their rushing attack in the upcoming season. According to reports from Jon Machota of The Athletic, fourth-year running back Rico Dowdle is emerging as the frontrunner to become the Cowboys' primary rusher in 2024.

With the return of Ezekiel Elliott to Dallas after a year with the New England Patriots, many expected him to regain his role as the dominant force in the Cowboys' backfield. However, after a lackluster season in 2023 where he recorded career-low numbers in rushing yards and touchdowns, it seems Elliott may be taking on a different role within the team.

Instead, it is Dowdle who has caught the attention of coaches and analysts alike. Despite being relatively unknown during his first two seasons, the 26-year-old showcased his explosive speed and versatility throughout training camp and the preseason, earning himself the title of the most "complete" running back on the roster.

In his third season, Dowdle demonstrated significant improvement, rushing for 361 yards and scoring two touchdowns on 89 carries. His performance has impressed the coaching staff, leading them to believe that he has the potential to thrive as the team's leading rusher in the coming year.

Joining Dowdle in the running backs room is Dalvin Cook, who once established himself as one of the league's premier rushers with four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons from 2019 to 2022. However, Cook experienced a dip in production during his time with the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens in 2023.

As the Cowboys head into the new season, it appears that Dowdle's rise and potential impact could overshadow the once-dominant duo of Elliott and Cook. While Elliott is expected to contribute in short-yardage and passing situations, Dowdle's emergence signifies a changing of the guard within the Cowboys' backfield.

Only time will tell whether Dowdle can live up to the expectations and deliver as the team's leading rusher. Cowboys fans will undoubtedly keep a close eye on the young running back as he looks to make his mark in the coming season.