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

[cowboyfan4life2]

I think we have defensive ends.

lol, we do? We have two who are both suspended four games, neither of which has really shown anything yet.

 

[alicetooljam]

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2016/profiles/ezekiel-elliott?id=2555224

OVERVIEW
Elliott's dad, Stacy, played linebacker for the Missouri Tigers and was on the unfortunate end of the infamous "fifth down" play in which Colorado scored a game-winning touchdown (which might not have crossed the goal line) after officials in charge of the down markers failed to mark a play. "Zeke" has had much more success than heartbreak during his athletic career, however. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch High School Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, Elliott also had the speed to win four state titles in track and field (100 meters, 200 meters, 110 high hurdles, and 300 hurdles). He contributed as a reserve in his freshman year in Columbus (30-262, two TD rushing) before hitting it big in 2014, finishing with three straight 200-yard games, including two against Alabama which (scoring six times in those two contests) helped the Buckeyes win the national title. Elliott carried forth the momentum from the end of his honorable mention All-Big Ten sophomore year into 2015, when he received the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year award (1,821 yards, 23 TD rushing; 27-206 receiving) and second-team All-American notice from the Associated Press and USA Today. Unfortunately, Ohio State's home loss to Michigan State on a terrible weather day, in which Elliott received only 15 carries (complaining to the media afterwards about his lack of totes), prevented the team from defending its title in the College Football Playoff. His 149-yard, four touchdown effort against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl put a happy ending on his career, however, allowing him to finish second all-time in rushing yards for the storied Buckeyes program.

ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
Elite combination of vision and decisiveness. Instinctive, short strider with instant reaction time. Has a bona fide jump-cut to elude penetration in the backfield and enough burst to elude chasers when he bounces runs to the outside. Able to change directions with no hesitation or wasted motion and is always headed forward. Has innate feel for developing blocks in space and is excellent at setting his blocks up and accelerating from behind them when the linebacker is trapped. When it's gridlocked inside, finds yards on his own. Rocked up physique but still maintains loose hips for agility. Exceptional balance through contact and takes tacklers for a ride. Has a "come at me, bro!" mentality as a runner. Loves to end runs on his physical terms. Uses lead shoulder as a weapon, but plays with outstanding ball security. Looks to absolutely bludgeon defenders as a lead blocker and is often successful. Able pass catcher who adjusts to throws and can do something with it after the catch.
WEAKNESSES
Strapped it up with a heavy workload over last two seasons including over 600 touches. Defenders land big shots on him. Appears to be too willing to put himself through the meat grinder rather than avoiding certain collisions. Understanding when to attack and when to elude may take time for him. Can sharpen his pass routes a bit and has room for improvement as a pass blocker. On second level, gets on top of defenders before he has a chance to gather himself into a position to evade a tackle. Questions arose about his maturity after complaining about lack of carries in Michigan State game.
DRAFT PROJECTION
Round 1
NFL COMPARISON
Edgerrin James
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.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

He's going to have 1200+ yards

 

[speedkilz88]

I was going to ask about his durability. Is he injury prone? Did he struggle with injuries in college. I remember Murray struggled with injuries his whole career, pro and college, except for his contract year.

Zero medical concerns, he's been durable (1800 yds last season) and rarely fumbles.

 

[MarionBarberThe4th]

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?

MurRay ran soft all carries are available to any back

 

[AzorAhai]

I was going to ask about his durability. Is he injury prone? Did he struggle with injuries in college. I remember Murray struggled with injuries his whole career, pro and college, except for his contract year.

A couple of wrist injuries, but that's about it.

 

[Gameover]

lol, we do? We have two who are both suspended four games, neither of which has really shown anything yet.

Lawrence hasn't shown anything? Not to say he's above average, but he's shown he can contribute.

Drafting in End because two of your starters are suspended for the first 4 games, that's the type of move the Cowboys made in the 1997-2002 era.

The Cowboys don't have to be the greatest team ever assembled next season! Coach Rod will get his guys to play their tails off, we need to support them with a dominant offense.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

Lawrence hasn't shown anything? Not to say he's above average, but he's shown he can contribute.

Drafting in End because two of your starters are suspended for the first 4 games, that's the type of move the Cowboys made in the 1997-2002 era.

The Cowboys don't have to be the greatest team ever assembled next season! Coach Rod will get his guys to play their tails off, we need to support them with a dominant offense.

We needed a De regardless of what Lawrence and Gregory could be, look at the Broncos last year, they won the sb because they could get pressure on the qb, you can never have enough pass rushers.

 

[Gameover]

We needed a De regardless of what Lawrence and Gregory could be, look at the Broncos last year, they won the sb because they could get pressure on the qb, you can never have enough pass rushers.

And New England won it the year before with a short passing game, that were pretty much forward handoffs.

Again: We don't have to have the greatest roster ever by August.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

And New England won it the year before with a short passing game, that were pretty much forward handoffs.

Again: We don't have to have the greatest roster ever by August.

No, but we need help on the dl.

 

[fortdick]

If he isn't the starter day one, we wasted a #4 pick.

 

[fortdick]

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.

Trade Zeke for a fifth? That would be a wasted #4!

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

lol, we do? We have two who are both suspended four games, neither of which has really shown anything yet.

They have potential though. A 4 game suspension shouldn't change how you feel about them as far as their potential.

 

[cowboyfan4life2]

They have potential though. A 4 game suspension shouldn't change how you feel about them as far as their potential.

I am still very high on both of them, but that doesn't change the fact that we still need another De, like I said before, you can never have enough pass rushers.

 

[Gameover]

No, but we need help on the dl.

You'll get help at some point.

 

[windjc]

I was going to ask about his durability. Is he injury prone? Did he struggle with injuries in college. I remember Murray struggled with injuries his whole career, pro and college, except for his contract year.

Nope.

 

[Gameover]

And James was selected at?

 

[TheMarathonContinues]

I am still very high on both of them, but that doesn't change the fact that we still need another De, like I said before, you can never have enough pass rushers.

Oh i'm in agreement there. I'd take as many possible.

 

[Tenkamenin]

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.

Yup, we basically drafted a younger Demarco Murray. I don't see how he doesn't start.

 

[mattjames2010]

You draft an RB at 4, you better give him the majority of carries. A back drafted there should be an immediate starter. If not, he's not worth. Can't handle 20+ carries a game? Not worth it.

He should have multiple games this year where he's getting 20-25 carries.