In the fourth round (128th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Tony Pollard, running back out of Memphis. Pollard will contribute immediately in a variety of ways showing off his ability to be an X-factor.

Selecting Pollard was a need as well as a luxury pick. He fills a need because the Dallas Cowboys wanted to find a backup to Ezekiel Elliott. He’s also a luxury pick because he can line up anywhere on the field for the offense and on special teams as well.

Pollard will be used as a running back, wide receiver, and kick returner. It’s his ability to thrive in all three of these roles that makes him the Cowboys’ secret weapon this upcoming season.

Pollard’s abilities as a running back

As a running back, Pollard can line up as a true tailback from under center, as an offset back in the shotgun, and as a wildcat quarterback. He has the ability to get around the perimeter on a jet sweep and is adept at making the first man miss.

He consistently shows patience, balance, and a burst of acceleration that quickly gets him to the second level of the defense where he is hard to bring down.

Pollard is also an intelligent and willing pass blocker but his technique and power are two areas he needs to work on. He is tough to bring down on first contact and always a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield.

In three seasons at Memphis, Pollard ran the ball 139 times for 941 yards, good for 6.8 yards-per-carry, and scored nine touchdowns, as provided by the Pro Football Reference.

Pollard’s abilities as a wide receiver

Pollard can line up as a slot receiver or out wide but he’s more likely to be in the slot for the Cowboys. Most of the time, he will be running screens or underneath patterns such as crossing routes.

But he has shown the ability to get down the field and run the occasional seam, dig, or corner route. He tracks the ball well, has good hands, and is a nightmare after the catch consistently fighting for extra yards.

In three seasons at Memphis, Pollard tallied 104 receptions for 1,292 yards, good for 12.4 yards-per-catch, and nine touchdowns.

Pollard’s abilities as a kick returner

As a kick return specialist, Pollard has shown the ability to find holes, make something out of nothing, and make big plays.

He’s been consistent as a weapon at Memphis and is dangerous when it comes to the return game. Pollard’s difficult to bring down and has great vision for where the blocks are going to be coming from and where the holes are going to be.

In three seasons at Memphis, Pollard returned 87 kicks for 2,616 yards, which is good for a whopping 30.1 yards per return, and seven touchdowns.

Pollard’s potential impact on the Cowboys

Pollard will be a weapon for new offensive coordinator Kellen Moore to utilize in a variety of ways and will be one of Dak Prescott‘s new shiny toys. His usage rate and total yards from scrimmage will be two numbers to keep an eye on in 2019.