While many mock drafts had the Cowboys picking athletic defensive back Jalen Ramsey with the fourth pick, Dallas pulled a minor surprise by instead selecting Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.
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Tony Romo went down with a broken collarbone two separate times throughout the season, while star wide receiver Dez Bryant missed the majority of the season due to a foot injury. This could have been a rare chance where the Cowboys were high enough in the draft to get a passer for the future.
My analysis: Noah Spence is arguably one of the best pass rushers in the entire 2016 draft class, but due to his past history of drug related problems he slips to the Cowboys in the second round. He was selected No. 5 overall the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Elliott said he got so excited when Jones and Dallas coach Jason Garrett called to inform him of the pick that he dropped the phone and almost burst into tears.
In the College Football Playoff, Elliott was once again a monster, rushing for a combined 476 yards and six touchdowns in the two playoff games and helping the Buckeyes win the national championship. It’s not just how well he finds the hole and carries the football, it’s also athletic catches like these that prove he can be a three-down back in the NFL.
It also bears mentioning that the Cowboys don’t actually need a superstar running back to generate a ground attack. Versatile Lance Dunbar is rehabbing after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament against New Orleans last October, though there is no timetable for his return. Alfred Morris was signed in free agency, but he slowed down in a big way with the Washington Redskins previous year. He’s unlikely a three-down back with McFadden in the picture, so understand Elliott’s prime value comes in non-PPR leagues and as a touchdown threat. I’m disappointed in the situations that we were put in, and I wish it all played out differently…
Elliott may be the biggest X-factor here, as his stock has been soaring in recent weeks as more and more people believe he is the rare running-back talent who is worthy of an early pick. We continue to see a running back swing pass at least a couple of times each game and here is an example of Zeke doing one.
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The Cowboys and their fans are hoping for the same thing here. “Just trying to pave the way for the guys, the younger guys back there that look up to me”.
