Ezekiel Elliott vs Lamar Miller

[phildadon86]

Overall, I'm pleased with the draft but the debate between these two players is still bothering. I'm not confident that the Cowboys allocated their resources properly here. We could have had Lamar Miller for less money and used the 4th pick somewhere else, most likely on Ramsey. Granted, Miller is a few years older but he's a known commodity and also considered a "complete back" just like Elliott. We all agree that both players would improve our run game from last year but is the difference between Elliott and Miller worth a Jalen Ramsey and $11 million dollars? What do you guys think? I don't have a strong stance on this so I'm open to some convincing.

Elliott (21 yrs old) - 4 yrs/$25 million (fully guaranteed)

or

Miller (25 yrs old) - 4 yrs/$26 million (14M guaranteed) + Jalen Ramsey or another player at #4

ID rather commit the money to a guy who knows where he plays. Ramsey isnt a corner, i dont care what he says. You dont allocate that kind of money to a guy who isnt very good at his position, and also has said he doesnt want to play safety.

 

[Vero_F250]

It was widely established that we were his preferred destination. It is also widely established we didn't come anywhere near his asking price. Instead we couldn't wait to overpay for a RB (dollars & draft).

Schefter:

Texans are giving Lamar Miller a 4-year, $26 million deal that includes $14 million fully guaranteed, per source. Had more elsewhere.

He had better offers. He chose Houston. Not saying we were the better offer but he loved what Houston was selling.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

Schefter:

Texans are giving Lamar Miller a 4-year, $26 million deal that includes $14 million fully guaranteed, per source. Had more elsewhere.

He had better offers. He chose Houston.

And he'd have chosen us for that same Houston money if we had offered it.

Unless you think there is a RB in the world who doesn't want to run in our offense or play for the highest profile team in the league.

 

[Common Sense]

Its not as simple as that. You are forgetting the salary cap. We could have had every other free agent available as well but no way to pay them under the cap. In the equation above, you leave off the 4/25 fully guaranteed salary due to Jalen Ramsey as the #4 pick. I was one that wanted Miller but they decided not to pay him the salary he wanted. Once that decision was made, Elliot became a viable option at #4. You could play this game with every free agent and every pick with every team. You can't get them all!

This isn't accurate, either. You can't factor in Jalen Ramsey with Lamar Miller without factoring in whichever expensive FA is playing DB in place of Ramsey in the Elliott situation. Brandon Carr, most likely.

 

[Vero_F250]

I've made this point. But you're not going to convince the masses that Zeke isn't their lord and savior aka Emmitt Smith reincarnated.

I'm not that high on him, but I certainly prefer him over Lamar Miller

 

[TheFinisher]

I think Zeke has an Edgerrin James caliber ceiling so I'm pretty fired up to see him running behind this young OL the next few years.

This pick set up a MUCH easier transition for the next QB after Romo, don't lose sight of that

 

[Vero_F250]

And he'd have chosen us for that same Houston money if we had offered it.

Unless you think there is a RB in the world who doesn't want to run in our offense or play for the highest profile team in the league.

A lot of RBs signed early and quickly without even talking to Dallas, so I would have to say based on that not every RB in the world wants to play for Jerry and the Cowboys. Just my opinion.

 

[Aven8]

Sighhhhhh. Miller again, and his 700 yards rushing?

 

[BermyStar]

Elliott is an elite back. Like Peterson/Gurley good.

Lamar Miller has been an okay player. Why this board Elvised out on him I have no idea. My brother is a Dolphins fan who would usually whine if they lost a good player. He doesn't even care about Miller.

My brother is a Dolphins fan as well and he said "good riddance" when Miller left. He appreciated what he did, but didn't think he was special.

 

[waving monkey]

Miller has 19 tds the last 2 years. That's pretty damn good considering he only gets about 200 carries a year.

That being said, I won't argue that Elliott is the superior back. But I do think it's fair to ask if he improves an already decent run game significantly more than Miller that you're willing to sacrifice Ramsey.

why does he get limited touches
if Elliott was the RB in Miami would he get limit touches
their not nearly the same RB,not nearly

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

@Sam I Am makes a fair point about the extra money needed for both players. I didn't consider that. But you make a good point about DBs costing a premium in free agency. Also, I'd add that if money became an issue it would give us more incentive to trade down for a cheaper contract. We wouldn't get Ramsey but we'd get additional picks to address the defense.

Correct. We have both starting CBs from last year on their last year of contracts. It's going to cost us to either resign them or bring in somebody new either way. You have to consider the situation with Tony as well. That number 4 pick could represent more Defensive help this year or it could represent a trade for picks next year or both. Those extra picks could put us in a position to take a top rated QB to plan for the inevitable with Tony. You can't really put a price on that. To me, it is the biggest priority this team has in the coming years.

 

[StylisticS]

LOL. You are sooooo talking to the wrong guy here. I'm willing to sacrifice Ramsey for the best punter.

.

 

[StylisticS]

Putting Zeke with Peterson and Gurley is a joke. He is a great prospect. Those guys were freak athletes and have actually done it in the NFL.

I get what you're saying with AD. But did you know Gurley would be Gurley before you saw him in the NFL? We don't know what Zeke will be in this league until we see it.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I get what you're saying with AD. But did you know Gurley would be Gurley before you saw him in the NFL? We don't know what Zeke will be in this league until we see it.

I know you didn't ask me but I will tell you that I thought Gurley would be everything he is and maybe more. I thought he might be better in the NFL then at Georgia because at Georgia, he was limited. Having said this, I probably would not have drafted Gurley where he went either. Gurley can get hurt and if he does, that could impact the value of the pick. He plays a position that is among the most injured in the NFL. The shelf life of a RB is a definite concern.

 

[Mr Cowboy]

I'm going to get the the $5 burger and then get 5 $1 burgers cuz Im fat. Then Im going to tell my friends I slept with Jessica Biel cuz Im a delusional liar.

Jessica is not all that! I've had better!

 

[Cowboys22]

This isn't accurate, either. You can't factor in Jalen Ramsey with Lamar Miller without factoring in whichever expensive FA is playing DB in place of Ramsey in the Elliott situation. Brandon Carr, most likely.

No, Carr was already on the team so he was already factored in. The team chose not to use free agent dollars for a RB so they drafted one. They aren't looking to sign a free agent CB for big money. They are going with what they have as far as CB goes. Had they signed Miller, they would have added $50 million in salary between him and Ramsey. Instead they decided to go with what they have a CB and draft the RB which is half the total cost. When they go get a $25 million CB, your point will be valid.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I know you didn't ask me but I will tell you that I thought Gurley would be everything he is and maybe more. I thought he might be better in the NFL then at Georgia because at Georgia, he was limited. Having said this, I probably would not have drafted Gurley where he went either. Gurley can get hurt and if he does, that could impact the value of the pick. He plays a position that is among the most injured in the NFL. The shelf life of a RB is a definite concern.

Agreed on Gurley.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

A lot of RBs signed early and quickly without even talking to Dallas, so I would have to say based on that not every RB in the world wants to play for Jerry and the Cowboys. Just my opinion.

You don't think their agents had a talk with Dallas?

 

[Toruk_Makto]

I'm not that high on him, but I certainly prefer him over Lamar Miller

How do you feel about Lamar at half the cost AND the 4th overall pick in the draft. Or the 6th overall pick and an extra 4th rounder?

 

[JBS]

Elliott is an elite back. Like Peterson/Gurley good.

Lamar Miller has been an okay player. Why this board Elvised out on him I have no idea. My brother is a Dolphins fan who would usually whine if they lost a good player. He doesn't even care about Miller.

It's mind boggling how overrated Miller is...he's so good..yet Miami never gave him the ball...

He's equally as good as Zeke..yet, he was consistently taken off the field for other RBs...

Miami had different HCs and they all treated Miller the same...he's average..

If Zeke pans out to be L. Miller...we failed