Ezekiel Elliott still best option for New York Giants at No. 10

The New York Giants improved their defense immensely during free agency, which lets them have flexibility in April’s NFL Draft. Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott is still the best option for Big Blue.

At this point, I think I’ve made my feelings about Ezekiel Elliott perfectly clear.

On Dec. 26, I published an article talking about how the New York Giants need the talented Ohio State alumnus. Since then, I’ve been churning out more pieces about Elliott, as well as engaging in “this is why they should take him” sports talk with my friends.

So the story remains the same, as the Giants still need Ezekiel Elliott. Except now, with less than a month until the draft, more people have connected the dots and realized Elliott would be a perfect fit for Big Blue.

Like I predicted – even if I didn’t think it would be as frivolous as it was – the Giants spent the early waves of free agency improving their defense. New York did this by spending more than $200 million to retain Jason Pierre-Paul, and add Keenan Robinson, Damon Harrison, Janoris Jenkins and Olivier Vernon. By doing this the Giants have a lot of flexibility at the No. 10 overall spot.

The defensive line is now surprisingly deep compared to the awful unit from 2015, and the offensive line, while far from perfect, is ions better than what people give it credit for.

An argument could be made for the Giants to take an offensive tackle at No. 10, but with Laremy Tunsil sure to be off the board and Ronnie Stanley being a boom-or-bust prospect, it would make more sense for the Giants to go elsewhere in the first round.

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I don’t think Myles Jack will be on the board. Ditto for Jalen Ramsey. And in a draft overflowing with talented defensive linemen, it would make sense if the Giants opted to address the D-line in a later round.

The bottom line is Elliott is the missing piece on New York’s offense.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: New York hasn’t had an every-down, consistent back since Tiki Barber retired, and Elliott would fill that void in a hurry.He’s the best back in this year’s draft, and it’s not even close. And if you’re part of the camp that’s expecting the often-injured, 31-year-old Rashad Jennings to be the lead back, you’re more optimistic than I am.

Elliott has everything you would want to have in a lead running back. He has speed, tremendous vision and a spectacular motor and drive to win. Elliott plays with a rare passion for the game, which is a trait that’s un-coachable.

He has the type of ability to offer a team the same sort of immediate impact Todd Gurley provided the Rams last season. If Elliott were to be drafted by the Giants, he would likely see a big role right away, before eventually taking over full-time as the lead back.

He’s a complete player, and an all-around, three-down, bell-cow type of back that would transcend the Giants’ run game. Elliott’s an elite runner who can do it all for a football club.

To be frank, the Giants don’t have a single back who strikes fear into opponents’ eyes. Jennings is not going to be the lead-back, Shane Vereen is a talented, but one-dimensional player, Orleans Darkwa is a complementary piece and Andre Williams is consistently ineffective.

Nov 28, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs the ball in for a touchdown in the third quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

The only knock I can consistently see on Elliott’s college tape is his tendency to bounce plays to the outside. He was faster than most of the competition in college, but that kind of play likely won’t work in the NFL. That’s a minor complaint, though, as Elliott’s entire body of work more than makes of for it.

There’s really not much to dislike about Elliott, as he meets all the requirements. Breakaway speed? Check. Aggressive, hard running? Check. Rises to occasion in big games? Check.

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He’s gotten Edge James comparisons from Lance Zeirlein of NFL.com, Le’Veon Bell comparisons from Walter Football and Arian Foster comparisons from me. NFL Network analyst Brian Baldinger said Elliott may be the best player in the draft, and his claim is justified. Recently, an unnamed AFC running backs coach said Elliott reminds him of a certain Purple Jesus.

“I feel the same way about (Ezekiel) Elliott that I felt about Adrian (Peterson),” the scout said, according to Zierlein. “It was hard to find weaknesses for Adrian coming out and it’s hard to find weaknesses for Elliott. I don’t usually believe in taking running backs in the first round, but Elliott is one of those guys you make an exception for just like with Adrian Peterson.”

Basically, the general consensus is that Elliott is going to be really, really good.

Elliott seems up to the idea of playing for the Giants too.

“That would definitely be a great spot for me,” Elliott said. “I could see it now, you know: Eli, Odell and then me. That’s a three-headed monster right there. I think we could give everyone a run for their money… and go win a Super Bowl pretty early.”

While Elliott’s belief that the trio of Manning, Beckham and himself could win a Super Bowl quickly is debatable, there’s no argument about whether Elliott would make the offense better. Manning would surely benefit from knowing he has an incredibly talented and hungry back to hand the rock to.

As far as teams that may nab Elliott before the Giants have a chance to, I don’t see any real threats. Dallas could use him, sure, but Big D just signed Alfred Morris, and the current plan is to use him, along with Darren McFadden and Lance Dunbar in a three-headed backfield.

I guess Philadelphia could take Elliott too, but if Doug Pederson plans on using a similar offense to the one Kansas City used in 2015, than he doesn’t require a true bell-cow back. The Eagles also seem to have interest in Jared Goff and Carson Wentz, the draft’s top QBs.

Baltimore could be an under-the-radar suitor, but the Ravens need help in a lot of other areas.

A lot can change between now and the draft. But the way things stand now, Elliott would be the best pick for the Giants. It’s also worth noting that New York has yet to have a pre-draft visit with Elliott, which is actually a good thing. Typically, the Giants schedule those types of meetings to clear up any questions they have about prospects.

More nfl spin zone: Elliott Not Jennings best fit for New York Giants

Drafting Elliott would give the offense much-needed balance, and it would help take some of the pressure of OBJ’s shoulders.

And plus, seeing Elliott look pretty dapper in a No. 25 Giants jersey.