Running back wasn’t the biggest need going into the draft with Darren McFadden coming off a strong season and the Cowboys adding two-time Pro Bowler Alfred Morris from Washington in free agency.
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Steven Ruiz, USA TODAY Sports: Drafting a running back this high is always a risk, but Elliott is a complete back who will eat behind the best offensive line in the NFL. “I think we’d give everyone a run for their money”.
“I can’t officially project a trade here”, McShay said, “but if Elliott slips past Dallas at No. 4, I’m hearing Miami could move up into the top 10 to snag the RB”.
Expect to see Elliott come out with a huge season as a rookie and become a superstar with his new team.
Ezekiel Elliott (Ohio State) after being selected by the Dallas Cowboys as the number four overall pick in the first round of the 2016 NFL Draft at Auditorium Theatre.
4 overall pick out of Ohio State, was the highest pick for a running back in the 26 years that Jerry Jones owned the team.
In 2014, as he carried Ohio State to the National Championship he rushed for 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns and gained over 200 yards against Wisconsin in the Big 10 Championship Game, against Alabama in the BCS and against OR in the title game. One year removed from the best record in the National Football League, the 12-4 Dallas Cowboys plummeted to 4-12 in 2015.
Elliott can play all three downs as he is a tough runner, excellent pass blocker someone his age and also has great hands out of the backfield.
Several teams may be crossing their fingers hoping the Cowboys pass on Ezekiel Elliot.
“I wanted to be a little bit different”, Elliott said. However, his injury history can’t be ignored and it’s not a stretch to imagine him playing 8-10 games this season.
On Thursday, Elliott learned he will call AT&T Stadium home with the Dallas Cowboys selecting him in the first round.
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Jones says Elliott should also help protect quarterback Tony Romo. In the 2014 season, they were hailed the division’s champions after having a 12-4 record. Conventional wisdom holds that the Florida Stare cornerback Jalen Ramsey is at the top of the Dallas Cowboys shopping list, so should the San Diego Chargers pass on him and opt to take the Ole Miss’ offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil, then Dallas Cowboys will jump. And if they do want a running back, there should be some good ones available later in the weekend, possibly someone like Alabama running back Derrick Henry, who the Browns are reportedly interested in.
