Dallas Cowboys: 5 Questions remaining heading into training camp
2. Can Ezekiel Elliott be even better in 2017?
Ezekiel Elliott showed the entire NFL how good he is a season ago. However, the second-year running back and former fourth overall draft pick believes he left yards on the field in that aforementioned rookie season.
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Elliott rushed for over 1,600 yards on just over 300 carries as a rookie, but even with those outstanding numbers, maybe Elliott was correct in his assessment in he left yards on the field. He’s mentioned improving his pass-catching, which is an area where he could produce more in volume in 2017.
If Elliott becomes becomes more of a pass-catching running back, maybe think of Marshall Faulk. When at Ohio State for three seasons, Elliott caught a total of 58 passes, with his best season being his sophomore year where he caught 28 passes for 220 yards. That same year in the Big Ten, he rushed for over 1,800 yards.
In his first NFL season, Elliott in 15 regular season-games caught 32 passes for 363 yards with one touchdown. So for the thought on whether Elliott can rush for 2,000 yards, I’m going to go with a negative, only if the Cowboys work him into more of the passing game, as those touchdowns could take away from his rushing totals.