Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook's Best Landing Spots After 2024 NFL Draft Day 1

Unlike during the 2023 NFL Draft, there were no running backs selected in Thursday's first round.

Without a top talent like Bijan Robinson in the running, teams decided to wait until Day 2 to add to their offensive backfield.

That means teams looking to add an RB1 this offseason might have to turn to free agency or the trade market.

Here's a look at how the first night of the 2024 NFL Draft will impact potential trade destinations for veteran free agents Ezekiel Elliott and Dalvin Cook.

For the first time in his eight-year NFL career, Ezekiel Elliott served primarily as a backup last season.

He still appeared in all 17 games for the New England Patriots, rushing for 642 yards and three scores, while adding 313 receiving yards and two receiving touchdowns.

Elliott may no longer be the NFL rushing leader he was during his 2016 rookie season with the Dallas Cowboys, but he could still serve as a valuable pass blocker for a team looking to add to its running back depth.

The veteran running back met Wednesday with the Cowboys about a possible deal for next season, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.

Elliott spent the first seven years of his career with the Cowboys, where he was named to three Pro Bowls while recording four seasons with more than 1,000 rushing yards.

After losing Tony Pollard to free agency, the Cowboys are looking to add depth to a depth chart currently led by Rico Dowdle. Although CEO Stephen Jones has previously indicated the team plans to address that need in the upcoming draft, per DallasCowboys.com's Patrik Walker, Elliott could still serve as a valuable depth piece behind the new rookie.

There's also Elliott's connection with Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, whom referred to the running back last season as "little brother, a best friend," per CBS Sports' Garrett Podell.

The New York Giants could be another candidate as a fit for Elliott after the team lost Saquon Barkley to free agency.

The Giants have a starting running back set to replace Barkley with Devin Singletary. ESPN's Bill Barnwell recently noted that the two could be a good fit together, writing that Elliott is "a more physical interior runner than Singletary and can help fill in as a pass-blocker."

That's not the only New York team that could serve as a match for Elliott. ESPN's Adam Schefter reported last year that the veteran running back was considering the New York Jets in free agency.

Robert Saleh said in March that the Jets' running back room is "not done yet," per The Athletic's Zack Rosenblatt. Elliott could provide a veteran presence in New York as the Jets work on further developing 22-year-old running back Breece Hall after a successful 2023 season.

Four-time Pro Bowler Dalvin Cook did not appear to enjoy his first season as a backup running back.

Cook parted ways with the Jets after making just one start and recording a career-low 214 rushing yards while backing up Hall through 15 appearances in 2023.

He's ready for that to change this fall.

"I've got it all," Cook told Aaron Wilson of Houston's KPRC 2 earlier this month. "The tools are still here. I didn't really get no reps last year. So, the legs are fresh, so the resume speaks for itself. I'm still Dalvin Cook. I'm still that guy. For me, I don't like to toot my own horn. I just like to go out there, put my helmet on and line up on the grass."

Cook could potentially resume being "that guy" with the Baltimore Ravens, with whom he made one playoff appearance last season.

The Ravens already signed Pro Bowler Derrick Henry, but could consider reuniting with Cook if looking for more depth behind Henry.

Another team where Cook could prove himself as the top running back he was for most of his six seasons with the Minnesota Vikings could be the Cowboys. The club is already meeting with another veteran running back in Ezekiel Elliott.

Michael Gehlken of the Dallas Morning News reported in March that both Cook and Elliott "have interest in potentially signing with Dallas." The Cowboys, who are looking to add several players to a relatively thin running back depth chart led by Rico Dowdle, could consider adding both.

Like Elliott, Cook might also consider rejoining a former team by re-signing with the Vikings, who released him in June 2023. In Minnesota, the veteran running back could potentially add backfield depth behind projected starter Aaron Jones.