Chicago Bears Should Not Draft Ezekiel Elliott
NFL Draft prospect Ezekiel Elliott believes that the Chicago Bears are in love with him. It’s easy to see why he would feel that way with many combine discussions and private workouts.
It was during the offseason that all-purpose back Matt Forte was hoping, praying that the Chicago Bears would re-sign him for the 2016 season and beyond. But that didn’t happen and he wound up becoming an unrestricted free agent. Shortly after that, the Bears went on to pursue running back C.J. Anderson of the Denver Broncos, which did not make Forte very happy.
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In an article from the Adam L. Jahns of Chicago Sun-Times, general manager Ryan Pace said that there are certain positions you can never have enough of that player.
"“Running back in some ways is that, because you can rotate those guys and they all can bring different things to the table.” – Ryan Pace/General Manager Chicago Bears"
It was believed that running backs Jeremy Langford and Ka’Deem Carey did enough last season to justify letting Forte hit the open market. It’s no secret that head coach John Fox loves to utilize running backs in different schemes. But just today, draft prospect Ezekiel Elliott stated that he believes the Chicago Bears are in “love with him”. Whether that is what they told him or what he wants to believe, that didn’t seem to sit well with last year’s rookie who tweeted this a few hours later.
@?chicagobears
The original tweet has since been deleted, but it may have been a question on Langford’s mind
as to why they would want to take Elliott in the first round when he could be the number one back on the roster. In any case, Langford should not worry as Fox is more of a defensive guy and with Fangio whispering in his ear, the Bears should go defense with the No. 11 overall pick. The majority mock drafts have either outside linebacker Leonard Floyd or defensive end Shaq Lawson taken with that pick.
Once Langford realized the tweet may have been construed as a disgruntled player, he immediately rectified it by stating that he had no idea how that happened. Langford did not have that great of a rookie season with a total of 148 carries, that when converted, gave him 537 yards, resulting in six touchdowns.
Obviously having Ezekiel on the roster would not be a bad thing, but he would be used more in a plug and play situation as well as the other backs. There are several teams in the top 10 that are in need of a running back and the Bears can get one in later rounds for a steal.
Langford is going to have every opportunity to shine as he did last year. It is clear that Elliott wants the Dallas Cowboys to pick him, which would be a great spot for him to fill in for the departed DeMarcus Murray. The reason the Chicago Bears should not draft Elliott is that they need to focus their attention on the obvious; a pass rusher at the edge to mirror Pernell McPhee. If DeForest Buckner is available or Joey Bosa, the Bears will take either one of them without question.
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There are just too many other needs to address for the Bears such as a tight end to replace Martellus Bennett, a left tackle to assist Charles Leno, a safety to mirror Adrian Amos and possibly a kicker as insurance if Robbie Gould can’t close the deal. But Pace has made it clear that they will take the best player available that falls to them and it just may be Elliott. But if the Bears want to compete in their division, they need to pressure the opposing quarterbacks with a power edge and goal line protector.