With the 2016 NFL draft less than a week away, rumors are swirling regarding the Dallas Cowboys and their plans for the No. 4 overall pick. After finishing with a record of 4-12 last season, the Cowboys are in an unfamiliar position. Since the Cowboys are unlikely to be drafting this high in the near future, it is essential that they make the correct pick. While running back has become a devalued position in the NFL in recent years, the latest mock drafts have the Cowboys selecting Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott in the opening round.
As previously reported by the Inquisitr , the Cowboys have been linked to California Golden Bears quarterback Jared Goff , North Dakota State Bison quarterback Carson Wentz , and Memphis Tigers quarterback Paxton Lynch . After the Los Angeles Rams and Philadelphia Eagles traded for the No. 1 and No. 2 overall picks, the Cowboys are no longer in the running for Goff or Wentz. While Lynch remains a possibility, it is unlikely that the Cowboys would select him with the No. 4 overall pick.
. @LRiddickESPN on @MikeAndMike : Cowboys will take Ezekiel Elliott with the 4th pick in the draft.
WATCH https://t.co/9ck4BepN5E
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) April 20, 2016
Jeremy Tunsil, Joey Bosa, and Jalen Ramsey also remain possibilities, but it is thought that Cowboys owner Jerry Jones wants to make a splash. While Jones is the team’s owner, he does not always have final say in decisions. Reports emerged that Jones actually wanted to draft former Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel a few years ago, but he was overruled. According to Bleacher Report , Jones prefers Elliott.
“Cowboys could draft Ezekiel Elliott if Jerry Jones gets his wish.”
While Jones has been overruled in the past, Elliott may be too enticing for the Cowboys’ management to pass up on. While he has never played a down in the NFL, many scouts believe that he is the best running back prospect since Adrian Peterson of the Minnesota Vikings. Running back is a devalued position, but Elliott’s production could make things much easier for quarterback Tony Romo and the rest of the offense.
According to the final mock draft from ESPN , Elliott will ultimately be the Cowboys’ pick at No. 4.
“Taking a running back at No. 4 would anger those who believe the position is devalued or not a need for the Cowboys and their elite offensive line. Others would argue a great running back (potentially) behind a great offensive line would allow the Cowboys to go back to the formula that worked so well in 2014 with DeMarco Murray. It could also help the defense because theoretically it would not be on the field much. Speaking Tuesday on 105.3 The Fan in Dallas, executive vice president Stephen Jones said taking a running back that high would be possible and threw out the names Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley.”
While no player in the NFL draft is a sure thing, Elliott probably has the highest floor in the class. With one of the best offensive lines in football, Elliott would be a star in the Cowboys’ backfield. With a healthy Romo and Dez Bryant, the Cowboys offense would likely look a lot more like it did in 2014 than it did in 2015. While Darren McFadden filled in nicely last year after DeMarco Murray left in free agency, he does not have anywhere near the potential that Elliott does.
4.Cowboys-Ezekiel Elliott: fluid athlete, good vision, runs through tackles, catches well, good pass blocker https://t.co/m7rqDGLFDy
— February’s Own (@Alisviews) April 22, 2016
The Cowboys have other needs besides running back, but Tony Romo is now 36-years-old. While he is still one of the most productive quarterbacks in the league, his health is still a huge concern. Quarterbacks can be productive into their 40s, but Romo is only another hit away from potentially suffering a career-ending injury. If the Cowboys are looking to maximize Romo’s remaining years, Elliott is absolutely the best pick on the board.
While there is a still a chance that the Dallas Cowboys could trade down before Thursday’s draft, the odds are that they will keep their pick at No. 4. Rumors will continue to link them to Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott. If Cowboys owner Jerry Jones gets his way, that may just be the pick.
[Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images]
