Ezekiel Elliott vs Lamar Miller

[Silver N Blue]

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

You know it!

 

[StylisticS]

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

Yeah I meant in general as player.

 

[wileedog]

Sighhhhhh. Miller again, and his 700 yards rushing?

872. And yeah just ignore the additional 400 yards receiving and 10 TDs playing with one of the worst Olines in football.

If Zeke winds up this year with 1250 yards form scrimmage and 10TDs (and Miller would have had much more than that if he weren't criminally underused), I wonder how many people will be calling him a "meh" player.

 

[Aven8]

872. And yeah just ignore the additional 400 yards receiving and 10 TDs playing with one of the worst Olines in football.

If Zeke winds up this year with 1250 yards form scrimmage and 10TDs (and Miller would have had much more than that if he weren't criminally underused), I wonder how many people will be calling him a "meh" player.

I guess you're a Texans fan then now huh?

 

[jday]

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

For argument sake, I will concede for the moment that Elliott and Miller are similar backs. Here's the problem, though, the reason Miami let him walk is because what Miller is asking for is to get paid beyond his potential impact as an effective running back in the NFL. In four years, the history of the position suggest he will be done...likely before the conclusion of his contract. Zeke, at the ripe age of 21, will still be effective well beyond the point that Miller retires.

So, in essence, Zeke > Miller + anyone else the Cowboys could have gotten at four...and it's not even close.

 

[the_h0wey]

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

Give me Zeke in the 3rd round. Big John McCarthy will stop the fight with Zeke winning via rear naked choke hold.

 

[jnday]

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

Barring injury, Ezekiel Elliott will be on of the top 3 backs in the game over the next 10 years. Something the Cowboys can build their offense around for Romo and the next QB.

This post deserves a huge amount of "likes" . I wish I could give it 100.

 

[wileedog]

I guess you're a Texans fan then now huh?

No, I just think the OP had a valid point. To me Lamar Miller is a much better player than McFadden or Morris, and whatever you think of Ramsey he is undoubtedly better than Church or Wilcox and most likely a big improvement over Mo or Carr. It's not like any of those guys are racking up INTs.

Instead of this abstract logic that Zeke helps the defense, we could have actually, you know, helped the defense.

I wanted to draft a RB in the worst way last season, it was a much better over all RB class, and we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just don't agree that it was Zeke or bust this year.

 

[Zordon]

For argument sake, I will concede for the moment that Elliott and Miller are similar backs. Here's the problem, though, the reason Miami let him walk is because what Miller is asking for is to get paid beyond his potential impact as an effective running back in the NFL. In four years, the history of the position suggest he will be done...likely before the conclusion of his contract. Zeke, at the ripe age of 21, will still be effective well beyond the point that Miller retires.

So, in essence, Zeke > Miller + anyone else the Cowboys could have gotten at four...and it's not even close.

I get your point but you do realize we'll be making the same decision with Zeke in 4 or 5 years? He'll be the same age as Miller when his 2nd contract comes up. So, are we going to hold him to the same standards for him as we did for Miller and other running backs entering the 2nd half of their careers? If so, then we just used the #4 pick on someone we'll only have for one contract, which is a problem.

 

[birdwells1]

For argument sake, I will concede for the moment that Elliott and Miller are similar backs. Here's the problem, though, the reason Miami let him walk is because what Miller is asking for is to get paid beyond his potential impact as an effective running back in the NFL. In four years, the history of the position suggest he will be done...likely before the conclusion of his contract. Zeke, at the ripe age of 21, will still be effective well beyond the point that Miller retires.

So, in essence, Zeke > Miller + anyone else the Cowboys could have gotten at four...and it's not even close.

I like zeke but that last sentence Is very debatable, if zeke is a 9 (scale from 1-10) I think that miller is at least an 8. If the Cowboys were debating between Ramsey and Zeke then they must have thought they were close in value, so the question ends up being Miller vs Church or Miller vs Wilcox.

 

[bsbellomy]

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

Barring injury, Ezekiel Elliott will be on of the top 3 backs in the game over the next 10 years. Something the Cowboys can build their offense around for Romo and the next QB.

I find it strange that people complain when you get a player that is special just because you don't traditionally find that position drafted that highly. I mean, same thing with Leonard Fournette, there may only be 1 RB in the first round next year also, but does anyone believe he won't go top 5?

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

I find it strange that people complain when you get a player that is special just because you don't traditionally find that position drafted that highly. I mean, same thing with Leonard Fournette, there may only be 1 RB in the first round next year also, but does anyone believe he won't go top 5?

AP went at 7 and he's the best back I've seen come into the league in 20 years. I don't think it's a given that Fournette, regardless of how good he might be, will be taken in the top 5. He could be but it's not a guarantee.

 

[LocimusPrime]

The estimated four-year contract values for the 2016 NFL Draft first-round picks (with Forbes first, spotrac.com second and overthecap.com third):

• 1. Jared Goff, Rams: $27,946,656 / $27,937,673 / $27,937,672
• 2. Carson Wentz, Eagles: $26,685,484 / $26,676,338 / $26,676,338
• 3. Joey Bosa, Chargers: $25,882,931 / $25,873,685 / $25,873,672
• 4. Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys: $24,965,720 /$24,956,341 / $24,956,342

http://www.al.com/sports/index.ssf/2016/04/2016_nfl_draft_how_much_each_f.html

You came w the facts. Now that zeke is a cowboy, i have to root for him. The better he plays the better the cowboys will be.

 

[LittleD]

Miller was never the "man" in Miami... He chose Houston over every other team that wanted him.
We would have to entered a bidding game to try and wrestle him away from the team he chose.
Who's to say he wanted to even consider Dallas? He's not even in the same class as Zeke. Can he
block at all or would he have gotten Romo Killed? Give me Zeke and Smith all the way. I'm willing
to do a little betting that says we just added a lot of sizzle and steak to our diet. In 3 years we will know the
score and count our winnings.

 

[jday]

I get your point but you do realize we'll be making the same decision with Zeke in 4 or 5 years? He'll be the same age as Miller when his 2nd contract comes up. So, are we going to hold him to the same standards for him as we did for Miller and other running backs entering the 2nd half of their careers? If so, then we just used the #4 pick on someone we'll only have for one contract, which is a problem.

That is another conversation for another day when that time comes. But, if you want to take this debate to hypothetical land, I'll walk with you for a bit. Just keep in mind, your OP was only comparing Zeke vs Miller + the Cowboys pick of what was left in the draft. I stand firm in my belief that the Cowboys made the right decision...in fact, I predicted it.

The first thing you must consider when looking 5 years into the future is that the Cowboys team will likely no longer feature Romo...or Jerry Jones, given his age. So, by merit of how difficult it is going to be to find Romo's successor, the Cowboys are in win-now mode. 5 years from now Dez will be a shell of his former self. Gone will be Witten, Sean Lee (probably) as well as a host of other players on the wrong side of their prime today. That is the nature of the business. The truth is if you have a good young quarterback, you can afford to make more picks with the longer-view in mind; you have that luxury...the Cowboys don't.

Also, given the strength of the Cowboys line as it stands, there is a good chance they are going to have say goodbye to a very good player at some point in the next 5 years. Once again, that is the nature of the business. The truth is, in total, about half of the Cowboys roster will say goodbye in the next 5 years.

My point is, if Zeke is still productive and the Cowboys are in a rare window to win and possibly compete for a championship, there is great chance they will make a play to keep him. If they are not in that mode, they may say goodbye, but at the point, the fans who understand all of the above will not really care to keep window dressing on a shanty.

So again, regardless of how you slice it, the Cowboys made the right move. Some, however, will have to see for themselves what Zeke adds to believe it.

 

[jday]

I like zeke but that last sentence Is very debatable, if zeke is a 9 (scale from 1-10) I think that miller is at least an 8. If the Cowboys were debating between Ramsey and Zeke then they must have thought they were close in value, so the question ends up being Miller vs Church or Miller vs Wilcox.

But miller really isn't that close to Zeke by merit of his age alone. That is the point you are missing. There is a good chance Miller would not even be retained for the entirety of his contract. The expiration date on most running backs is around 27...which is also why the Cowboys did not want to pay Murray.

 

[Aven8]

No, I just think the OP had a valid point. To me Lamar Miller is a much better player than McFadden or Morris, and whatever you think of Ramsey he is undoubtedly better than Church or Wilcox and most likely a big improvement over Mo or Carr. It's not like any of those guys are racking up INTs.

Instead of this abstract logic that Zeke helps the defense, we could have actually, you know, helped the defense.

I wanted to draft a RB in the worst way last season, it was a much better over all RB class, and we wouldn't be having this conversation. I just don't agree that it was Zeke or bust this year.

I wanted to go Bosa Henry myself, but am stoked with Zeke. It's arguable that Miller is better than Morris and Dmac as well, as we don't know that yet. If he goes for 1,500 with the Texans then maybe that changes. Zeke however has the opportunity to go for 1,600 per year and thats says a lot. If he bust however we all lose!

 

[jjktkk]

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 think Ramsey's lack of ball skills, and what exactly was his best position might of played a role. Not that Ramsey doesn't have a chance to be a great player, but enough of a concern to pick him that high at 4.

 

[egn22]

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.

This^^^^

 

[birdwells1]

But miller really isn't close to Zeke by merit of his age alone. That is the point you are missing. There is a good chance Miller would not even be retained for the entirety of his contract. The expiration date on most running backs is around 27...which is also why the Cowboys did not want to pay Murray.

I think that you are looking at age only when you should be looking at carries, one of the good things about Miller is the low mileage he has. In 2012 he had 55, in 2013 he had 177, 2014-216, and in 2015-194. In his highest carry year he averaged 13.5 carries a game, low mileage and proven in the NFL.