Tony Pollard expected to be more productive in his first season as the lead running back for the Dallas Cowboys.

Dallas used the franchise tag on Pollard, while letting Ezekiel Elliott walk in free agency.

"I thought I would probably have a better year than I am now," Pollard said. "Where we are as far as playoffs and rankings, I couldn't complain with everything in front of us. I would say just trying to get more at-bats at the plate. Get more repetition for the O-line and get a feel for how the defense is playing things and getting into a rhythm."

Pollard has fewer yards (935 against 1,007) despite more carries (235 against 193) this season. He's scored four fewer touchdowns.

"I hold myself to a higher standard," Pollard said. "I try to be my hardest critic and my hardest judge before anybody else can. So I'm always hard on myself."