Ezekiel Elliott vs Lamar Miller

[ABQCOWBOY]

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.

Yes and know. I mean, it's all hindsight but lets say that the team signed Miller. In that event, it is very unlikely that they would have taken Elliot, simply because of the investment into the one position. They probably would not have renegotiated with Carr either. They may not have decided to renegotiate Carr, but instead, elected to make him a late cut and split his cap hit. That could have meant that they take Ramsey or another DB later. You never really know how these things will work out.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

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.

Yes and know. I mean, it's all hindsight but lets say that the team signed Miller. In that event, it is very unlikely that they would have taken Elliot, simply because of the investment into the one position. They probably would not have renegotiated with Carr either. They may not have decided to renegotiate Carr either, but instead, elected to make him a late cut and split his cap hit. That could have meant that they take Ramsey or another DB later. You never really know how these things will work out.

 

[Vero_F250]

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

I see your points and they are valid. I'm sure they did. As an agent it's probably the first call you make. It terms of RBs and what Murray did for the Cowboys (then Jerry lets him walk with a low ball offer) is a reason I think RBs may not want to come here. Run ya into the ground, have a record year and they let you walk with a low offer. Could scare some RBs off, especially those in the 24-25 age group who want one last contract after their new deal is over. But I agree with some points you made. Believe it or not i wanted Ramsey. I felt a RB later teamed with McFadden and Morris we be more than ok while stacking our defense. Cowboys went one way, explained their reasoning for it, so I will take it and root for the current players and not wonder what if.

 

[Common Sense]

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.

The cornerback position doesn't magically go away because you didn't use the fourth overall pick on it. If you don't draft a guy, you have to sign him in free agency. Unless you're actually trying to argue that two positions are more expensive than one position, in which case, yes, water is wet, but that has nothing to do with this discussion.

 

[StylisticS]

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.

Fair enough. What are your feelings on Elliott?

 

[birdwells1]

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

I was a big Lamar Miller to the Boys fan, but I also like Elliott I'm not sure on how much we'll have to pay Elliott. Lamar Miller is a bigger addition to the Texans than Brock Osweiler imo. He has speed, he's shifty, and has low mileage. If I had to choose I'd take Miller and the 4th pick.

 

[Jenky]

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

He's heavily overrated and for years couldn't beat out Daniel Thomas. I've seen him play in many games and he's just meh.

 

[LatinMind]

Zordon. Bro.

There's still time to delete this thread.

lol...

 

[Bleu Star]

Personally I would prefer Zeke at #4 (& Jaylon in the 2nd) But it's over. I'm moving on.

 

[casmith07]

What people keep forgetting to mention with all this "we coulda had Miller" talk is that he actually has a decision on where he wanted to sign! So while Dallas COULD have signed Miller he chose Houston. Put these threads to rest.

They ALWAYS fail to make that distinction when it comes to talking about free agency. Every time.

 

[Proximo]

I think it's clear that the Cowboys don't think nearly as high of Miller as they do EE. Not even close.

Otherwise, they'd have done what's suggested in the OP- signed Miller and then used the #4 pick on someone else or maybe even traded down.

It seems as though they believe EE is one those rare, special RB's.

Either way, I'm so freakin glad they didn't continue down the path of "our O-line is so good anyone can run behind it", and then count on other teams' cast offs and late round draft picks to run the ball.

Right now we have a rare, elite, young O-line. It will be a real treat to see a legit, top tier prospect run behind these guys. Especially with Romo and Dez coming back. I think the drafting of EE sends a signal, and I think it'll re-energize this offense. Much more than a free agent signing would have.

 

[HellCrowe]

things people to say to cope with the bleeding

 

[dogunwo]

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.

I don't think you have ever called a Dallas player elite except Demarcus Ware.

Never mind, here comes some Swaim or Hitchens goodness.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Fair enough. What are your feelings on Elliott?

I'm not sure as to what context you are asking opinion on. As a back for us or in general? I will assume you mean in general. My opinion on Elliott, very good back. I do not think he is the back that Gurley is but very good overall. He is probably a better rounded player then Gurley is, IMO, but I don't believe he is the runner that Gurley is. I can see Elliott having a longer career then Gurley. I think that Gurley being a more physical runner will take it's toll and you may start to see that sooner then you might with Elliott but I don't believe Elliott can do what Gurley can do right now. Elliott has the advantage because of the OL we have here in Dallas. He may very well put up better numbers the Gurley in his Rookie season but, if you reversed these players and you have Gurley running behind our OL and Elliott running behind the Rams OL, I don't know if Elliott could duplicate what Gurley did last year. I do believe that Elliott will have better receiving numbers in either offense but the actual running, I believe that early on, Gurley is the stronger runner of the two.

JMO

 

[hornitosmonster]

There is only 1 RB in the NFL that I would take over Zeke. L. Bell and it is close because of Bell's injury and him being on the drug program.

 

[Jake0]

Lamar Miller is smaller than Zeke. I think everyone wants a guy that can convert tough short yardage situations and Zeke "should" be a guy that can do that. Alfred Morris hasn't really been great at that so can't just fall back on him for those situations. In this case, I think it was fine to pass on Lamar Miller. I have high hopes for Darius Jackson. Could end up with 2 complete backs.

 

[Silver N Blue]

Zeke is hands down better than Miller. Right now.

 

[dallasdave]

Zeke is hands down better than Miller. Right now.

 

[dallasdave]

Zeke is hands down better than Miller. Right now.

Hey I can think back and I think it was you and I that said Dallas needs a top RB a long time ago !!!!!

 

[DallasBlockersClub]

I'm not sure as to what context you are asking opinion on. As a back for us or in general? I will assume you mean in general. My opinion on Elliott, very good back. I do not think he is the back that Gurley is but very good overall. He is probably a better rounded player then Gurley is, IMO, but I don't believe he is the runner that Gurley is. I can see Elliott having a longer career then Gurley. I think that Gurley being a more physical runner will take it's toll and you may start to see that sooner then you might with Elliott but I don't believe Elliott can do what Gurley can do right now. Elliott has the advantage because of the OL we have here in Dallas. He may very well put up better numbers the Gurley in his Rookie season but, if you reversed these players and you have Gurley running behind our OL and Elliott running behind the Rams OL, I don't know if Elliott could duplicate what Gurley did last year. I do believe that Elliott will have better receiving numbers in either offense but the actual running, I believe that early on, Gurley is the stronger runner of the two.

JMO

I agree with this.