McGinn - Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry both have impact potential

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http://www.jsonline.com/sports/pack...e-impact-potential-b99704558z1-376838681.html

Not only is Elliott possibly the most complete rookie runner in a decade, he belongs well up among the rushing immortals in more than 125 years of football at Ohio State.

"With all due respect to all the other running backs in Ohio State history, my first-round draft pick, I'd take Zeke Elliott," Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said after Elliott capped his three-year career with a four-touchdown outburst against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl.

Since the devaluation of ball carriers began to set in, just six backs have been selected in the first round over the last five drafts. Two played for coach Nick Saban at Alabama, Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson, whereas two more, Eddie Lacy and T.J. Yeldon, departed Tuscaloosa as second-round choices.

Now comes Henry, the biggest of the Crimson Tide's assembly line of big backs and potentially the best.

"Ezekiel Elliott could play for every team in the league," said Phil Savage, analyst on the Alabama radio network since 2009 and executive director of the Senior Bowl. "Derrick Henry is not for every team in the league.

"He's for the team that has somewhat of an established O-line and a team that's willing to give him the ball from the I-formation or the Pistol where he gets some depth and can get started.

"If he gets to the right team, I'd put him first among those five backs. If he goes to the wrong team, he might be fifth."
 
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