How much playing time will Ezekiel Elliott actually get next year?

[CowboysBravesSpurs]

How much playing time will he actually get next year?

People are hoping he can do what Demarco did (and more), but will we actually make him a 3 down back? I have no doubt the kid can play, I can't wait to see this offense in action, but will he be the "bell cow" people are expecting?

 

[endersdragon]

Year 1 maybe not, by next year probably. Mcfaddens on his way out but chances are he splits carries with Elliott this year with Morris taking some of those hard carries to keep some wear and tear off of Elliott.

 

[windjc]

How much playing time will he actually get next year?

People are hoping he can do what Demarco did (and more), but will we actually make him a 3 down back? I have no doubt that the kid can play, I can't wait to see this offense in action, but will he be the "bell cow" people are expecting?

Why wouldn't he be. The biggest reason rookies stay off the field is blocking. He has one of the highest blocking grades of all time.

Second he is a one cut downhill runner, which is what our line is used to blocking for.

Third, he rarely fumbles - another reason rookies don't get run.

He can catch ok and he is a power short yardage back as well.

There is no reason he doesn't play most our downs.

 

[alicetooljam]

He'll have every opportunity with where he was picked...Randle still got some good touches the year Murray was the bell cow.

 

[windjc]

I feel like Zeke's greatest asset may be durability. Very much like Emmitt, he runs very low to the ground and has decent footwork so he doesnt take a lot of direct powerful hits. He gets down and gets yardage. Never really runs high. I dont care if he has elite break away speed, because he has more than Murray and Emmitt did and its not even close.

 

[CowboysBravesSpurs]

Why wouldn't he be. The biggest reason rookies stay off the field is blocking. He has one of the highest blocking grades of all time.

Second he is a one cut downhill runner, which is what our line is used to blocking for.

Third, he rarely fumbles - another reason rookies don't get run.

He can catch ok and he is a power short yardage back as well.

There is no reason he doesn't play most our downs.

Im not saying he couldnt, I want him to be out there as much as possible, but I have a feeling the cowboys are still gonna push that RBBC garbage this year.

 

[windjc]

Im not saying he couldnt, I want him to be out there as much as possible, but I have a feeling the cowboys are still gonna push that RBBC garbage this year.

Don't know why they would do that. Last year there were blocking (Randle) concerns and injury (McFadden) concerns. If they feel a back can do it all, they will play them to do it all.

 

[tyke1doe]

He'll receive significant playing time Week 1. I think what will happen is DMac will start Week 1. Zeke will get his carries and make the most of them. And then he'll gradually work his way into the starting lineup and will be a fixture by Week 4.

 

[coach steele]

I feel like Zeke's greatest asset may be durability. Very much like Emmitt, he runs very low to the ground and has decent footwork so he doesnt take a lot of direct powerful hits. He gets down and gets yardage. Never really runs high. I dont care if he has elite break away speed, because he has more than Murray and Emmitt did and its not even close.

Ran in the 4.4's at the combine. Speed is not an issue.

 

[Tabascocat]

You don't run a committee after drafting Eze. He will end up being the bell-cow by week 5. DMC and Morris will spell him at times, not sure where that leaves Dunbar tho.

 

[CowboysBravesSpurs]

He'll receive significant playing time Week 1. I think what will happen is DMac will start Week 1. Zeke will get his carries and make the most of them. And then he'll gradually work his way into the starting lineup and will be a fixture by Week 4.

I was thinking this was the best case scenario as well.

 

[speedkilz88]

I think they should try to keep from over-using him but the dude will get bulk of carries and be a weapon in the passing game/blocking as well.

 

[rpntex]

Even though it's been 40 years, I think we see something similar to what Tom Landry did with Tony Dorsett when he was a rookie. Zeke will split carries with McFadden over the first five or six games, and gradually ease his way into the lead back lead back is this position. If he's having any kind of success, and the Cowboys are winning, he'll be doing what Demarco did two years ago… 25+ carries so game.

 

[muck4doo]

You don't run a committee after drafting Eze. He will end up being the bell-cow by week 5. DMC and Morris will spell him at times, not sure where that leaves Dunbar tho.

Dunbar excels at 3rd down, and play making on two minute offense. That's where they will keep him. I'm thinking with Zeke, Morris looks like the potential odd man out.

 

[theogt]

A lot.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

He better play a lot of downs next year.

 

[viman96]

I think he will carry the rock a lot and be the primary back. Garrett considers him a foundation piece and every down back.

 

[AsthmaField]

All he can handle...

 

[BAZ]

If feels good to be set at a position. If Zeke proves himself before the trade deadline ship him out for a pick. Maybe a 5th to Seattle when Rawls goes down.

 

[LatinMind]

How much playing time will he actually get next year?

People are hoping he can do what Demarco did (and more), but will we actually make him a 3 down back? I have no doubt the kid can play, I can't wait to see this offense in action, but will he be the "bell cow" people are expecting?

why wouldnt he be a 3 down back? The guy had a draft grade of 7.09 Gurley had a 6.3.

BOTTOM LINE
Elite, three-down running back who has the ability to excel in every facet of the game. Elliott has rare combination of size, athleticism, pass-catching and blocking skills and his competitive nature is always bubbling on the surface. While he's had to handle a heavy workload over the last two seasons, Elliot should still come out of the gates as one of the most productive young running backs in the league.