The newest and most talked about member of the Dallas Cowboys is none other than former Ohio State University running back, Ezekiel Elliott. The former National Championship running back was far and away the best running back prospect in the 2016 NFL Draft and one of, if not the most hyped backs in recent years. Can Ezekiel Elliott, now in a fantastic situation with the Dallas Cowboys, be one of this generation’s saviors for the NFL running back?
The Dallas Cowboys, sitting at the number four draft choice, would have never thought that two seasons ago coming off of a 12-4 record with a high powered offense led by Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, and former Cowboys star running back, DeMarco Murray, that they would be sitting in this kind of draft position. The Cowboys last season were decimated by injury including injuries to Romo and Bryant, not to mention the loss of Murray to the Eagles (now on the Tennessee Titans) finishing 4-12, last place in the NFC East.
Can we imagine a scenario where top running back prospect, Ezekiel Elliott, would be sitting there for the Cowboys taking at number four, behind one of, if not the best offensive line in football and a healthy Romo and Bryant? Seems like shades of 2014. Well, that is certainly what the Cowboys are hoping for after drafting Elliott with the number four selection.
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Elliott is not like other running backs. He’s something different. His effectiveness on the field goes well beyond having the ball in his hands.
In fact, maybe his most impressive and valuable feature (besides eluding and running defenders over) is his ability to pass block. In 2015, he did not allow one sack in all of the times he was asked to pass block.
Elliott has all the tools to be successful as an NFL running back. His stature is a solid 6’0 225 lbs. In 2015, Elliott rushed for 1,821 with 23 touchdowns for an Ohio State squad filled with constant quarterback questions, Elliott remained the offenses staple.
Throughout his career at Ohio State (2013-2015) he totaled 3,961 on 592 attempts (avg. 6.7 yards per carry) 43 touchdowns and 58 receptions – hence his style being more ground and pound with his tremendous blocking capability being a huge plus for Dallas, adding another complimentary blocking piece to an already established offense line.
His game and running style is best compared to LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles (both when healthy). The combination of his speed certainly falls under the category of both McCoy and Charles, but his bulldozer like mentality and ability to effectively pass block gives Elliott a new dynamic that could potentially go well beyond both McCoy and Charles an an overall offensive force who can be asked to do anything on the field.
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Elliott’s ceiling remains the highest we have seen for any running back in the last 10 years.
With last seasons emergence of former University of Georgia running back turned star Los Angeles Rams running back, Todd Gurley, has faith been restored in running back or is he just one talented player?
The combination of Gurley, along with Elliott coming out of Ohio State in this years draft has shined a new found light on a position that has been most recently considered a dying breed. The emergence of these running backs has most definitely put a new renowned faith in the NFL running back.