He wasn’t completely lying. He was full of positives minutes after the pick, when told the Cowboys’ website that Elliott is “the most complete back that I’ve been able to scout in eight years doing this”. They landed the best skill position player in this draft.
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Standing in at 6-foot-1 and 225 pounds, Elliott is going to be extremely hard to take down. He can bust the big run. Quarterbacks ran often in Ohio State’s offense, and Elliott showed a unique willingness as a blocker in those situations. He did everything for the Buckeyes. He will have it fairly easy with the dominant offensive line that Dallas has put together and the sky is the limit for him. Elliott saved his best for last, dismantling Notre Dame in the Sugar Bowl with four touchdowns and 149 yards on 27 carries. “I hate to lose more than I love winning, and I’m coming to Dallas to win a Super Bowl….” The combination of that incredible offensive line and his own prodigious talent would be so good it doesn’t bare thinking about.
But Elliott makes the case that he’s more than just a runner. With Elliott along with quarterback Tony Romo and wide receiver Dez Bryant, they have their new Triplets.
Can Elliott handle that hype? In three seasons, he rushed for 3,961 yards, the second-highest total in school history behind two-time Heisman Trophy victor Archie Griffin. That’s second all-time, ahead of Eddie George, who had as workmanlike National Football League career. The other seven, however, were split on Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott and Ohio State defensive end Joey Bosa.
Ohio States Ezekiel Elliott, left, poses for photos upon arriving for the first round of the 2016 NF …
How he fits with Dallas: He needs to be the next Emmitt Smith. Jones’ last first-round running back, Felix Jones (2008), didn’t quite live up to that standard.
On average, teams investing a top 10 pick in a running back significantly improve the next season, jumping about 0.4 yards per carry. This doesn’t feel like that, either.
But Elliott will be the headliner next season.
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Thursday night was a big night for Alton native Ezekiel Elliott. At this point it seems they are happy to draft whichever QB the Rams pass on, which will nearly certainly be North Dakota State’s Carson Wentz. Although I think Elliott will produce at the next level I don’t think this was the right choice.
