Zeke wear and tear

[Zech13]

I think Zeke has about 1,400 carries for his career to date. Is anyone else concerned about his production dropping off next year? Is it time to trade him in the off-season? If so what would you want in return?

Thanks for the input.

[Zacsby]

Depends on what you could get, but i wouldnt really be worried about him hitting a wall for at least another couple years.

[honcho55]

I go back and forth on this.

On one hand, by the numbers and what we know high volume like this typically does to backs, yeah. He’s gonna get ran into the ground. I won’t be surprised if he completely falls off in a handful of years.

The other hand, of course, is that he’s (imo) the number one safest bet for rock solid RB1 production for a handful of years. The thing about a “Handful of years” is that it’s tough to look further out than that with RBs anyways.

[Gator Sens]

I would not be as worried about the 2020 season as 2021 and beyond. All comes down to what you can get for him and if he starts to slide next year. I would not be in any hurry to move Zeke personally.

[jenkins.math]

I try and sell all RBs once their rookie deal is finished. That may be a year too soon to sell, but I can usually still extract max value. I'd rather sell a year too early than a year too late.

Now that could change if I'm in some sort of "win at all costs" mode, but I've never just completely thrown caution to the wind for a single title run.

[FantasyFoosball]

Not concerned at all. If I'm competing, I'm keeping Zeke and not even thinking about moving him.

[RB6]

Not concerned at all. If I'm competing, I'm keeping Zeke and not even thinking about moving him.

Agree with this.

[bjd5211]

Zero concern at all, people get a little too wrapped up in "touches" and "mileage" these days, not so long ago great RBs carried the same or greater workload as Zeke in a far more physical era and would be fine for more than 4 years. There was just a major lack of high end talent at the RB position coming into the league for a few years before Zeke, and those lesser players obviously weren't up to the grind the truly special HOF caliber RBs (which Zeke is) are capable of. He's never missed a game due to injury, and historically gets better later into the game and into the season, I expect him to be a high quality player into his late 20's and still be effective into his 30's similar to AP who has a massive career workload himself.

Edit: For example LT had the greatest fantasy season ever in year 6 of his career despite already having racked up 1,700 career carries and over 2,000 total TDs, and then he followed that season up with another rushing and TD title, and another 1,000 yard/10+ TD season in year 8 when he was around 3,000 touches. Special players are just different than the league average, and Zeke is a special player.

[Goddard]

Wouldn't be worried.

[OhSnapItsAnt]

Zeke is a monster... The only thing I would be worried about and I’m surprised no one has mentioned it, is Pollard.. if the cowboys are thinking the same as you and don’t want to run him into the ground...
I really think they get Pollard more involved next season. I’m not sure if it’s going to be a good thing (Zeke longevity) or bad (take away touches) for Zeke.
I think it’s a small thing to worry about because Zeke is the man and realistically I don’t see it hurting him but I am curious to see how they handle the situation next season.

[Straycatz2]

I try and sell all RBs once their rookie deal is finished. That may be a year too soon to sell, but I can usually still extract max value. I'd rather sell a year too early than a year too late.

There is a some truth in this. Looking at the past few RB with new deals, its hard to argue against that the decline happened or situation got worse after the rookie deal: Gurley, DJ, Bell, Freeman, McKinnon, D. Johnson

Situations get worse when team lets RB go elsewhere in FA or when the team think they aren't worth the new deal and ship them off and new system and new coach doesn't make it easier on RB. Or when teams get rookie rb for depth and they start chipping away at touches.

[Orenthal Shames]

I would not be as worried about the 2020 season as 2021 and beyond. All comes down to what you can get for him and if he starts to slide next year. I would not be in any hurry to move Zeke personally.

x2. If you aren't a contender, I'd cash out big.

[pmart33]

Personally, I prefer to move on from RBs a year too early rather than a year too late, but if I'm a contender going into next year I'd hold Zeke.

[Pats/VikesFan]

Great thread to read after I just gave up the 1.8, 1.10, and a 2021 1st for him. I hope there are no issues. To hedge my bets, I will be looking to get Pollard this summer.