Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook's Best Landing Spots After 2024 NFL Draft Day 2

There were no running backs selected on Day 1 of the NFL draft, but after teams secured their first-round picks, Day 2 saw four taken off the board.

Several running-back-needy teams landed some talent that they hope will excel in their backfield. While there isn't a clear star in this year's draft class, the 2024 season could see a handful of rookies shine.

For the teams who didn't find their running backs in the draft, a pair of veterans are available in free agency.

Ezekiel Elliot and Dalvin Cook remain unsigned and are looking to find a spot on the roster. While both might be past their primes, they could serve as valuable pieces for several teams, especially those who lack depth in the position.

After the second and third rounds of the NFL draft, here are some possible landing spots for Elliot and Cook.

Elliot isn't the premier rusher that he once was, but can still offer a lot in the backfield as a No. 2 option.

Last season, he notched 642 rushing yards and three touchdowns in his sole season with the New England Patriots.

Plenty of teams are looking to add a running back, and Elliot could be the man for the job. Here's a look at a few potential landing spots.

New York Giants

The Giants lost star running back Saquon Barkley to the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, but quickly replaced him with Devin Singletary. Still, New York could use another option to play behind Singletary.

Elliot could come in and play several roles for the Giants as they look to get back into the playoffs. He could serve as a pass block specialist or lineup on the goal line and use his size to punch the ball into the endzone.

Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders lost Josh Jacobs in free agency after he led the team in rushing yards a year ago, leaving them with Zamir White. While White has shown flashes of being a solid running back, he's still somewhat inexperienced and might not be ready to take on the load all by himself.

Las Vegas needs a veteran, and Elliot could be the experienced player in a young running back room.

Dallas Cowboys

Elliot spent the 2023 season away from the team that drafted him, but a reunion could be in the works. According to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero, the two sides have already touched base about a possible return to Dallas, and it makes perfect sense for both sides.

The Cowboys are down a running back after losing Tony Pollard to the Tennessee Titans in free agency. If they want to compete for a Super Bowl, they'll need to fill that hole rather quickly.

Elliot had his best seasons while wearing a Cowboys uniform, and he could return to a similar form if he's back in Dallas.

Cook didn't find much success in his only season as a backup running back for the New York Jets. He recorded just 214 rushing yards despite notching four straight seasons with 1,000+ rushing yards.

Cook is likely looking for a place where he can be an RB1, but that might not be in his future. If he's willing to settle for a backup role, he could find a landing spot soon and potentially thrive.

Here are a couple of potential landing spots for Cook after Day 2 of the draft.

Baltimore Ravens

Cook rounded out the 2023 season with the Ravens, appearing in their wild-card matchup against the Houston Texans. In that game, he had eight carries for 23 yards.

His time with Baltimore could be short-lived, but returning to the Ravens is still an option.

Baltimore signed star running back Derrick Henry this offseason, filling in the starting spot, but retaining Cook as a backup could make for an outstanding backfield duo. It would take Cook accepting a smaller role and a smaller paycheck, but it would put him on a Super Bowl-contending team.

Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers need some support in the backfield after ranking last in rushing EPA last year. Los Angeles' current projected starting running back is J.K. Dobbins, who has just 234 rushing yards in his three-year career.

Signing Cook could be a win-win scenario for the two sides.

The Chargers would get a much-needed boost in the backfield to take some of the pressure off the passing game, and Cook could potentially return to a starting role. It could be a bit of a risk handing the starting job to Cook after he served as a backup last year, but that might be a risk Los Angeles is willing to take.

Denver Broncos

The Broncos have a long list of needs this offseason and might have attended to one of those needs by drafting quarterback Bo Nix in the first round.

On the remaining list of needs is support in the backfield.

Third-year player Javonte Williams had a solid year with 774 rushing yards and three touchdowns. Denver could consider pairing him with Cook to form an explosive duo in the backfield.