Mel Kiper's Rookie Big Board (ESPN Insider)

[Thomas82]

Here's the third edition of my ranking of the top rookies through Week 6 in the NFL, plus another group of guys who just missed the list. I've also included the rankings of where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2016 draft.

Here are the parameters, same as always:

• This is a measure for all games this season, not just last week.
  
  
• Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
  
  
• Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
  
  
• Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?
  

1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Previously ranked: 2 | Final 2016 Big Board rank: 114

How can Prescott not move up to No. 1? The fourth-round pick is No. 2 in the league in Total QBR, he just set the record for passes without an interception to open a career (176) and the Cowboys are 5-1. As Tony Romo inches closer to a return from his back injury, an interesting QB1 decision looms.


4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Previously ranked: 8 | Final 2016 Big Board rank: 8

Before the draft, I said Elliott was one of the best running back prospects to enter the league over the past decade, and he is already leading the league in rushing -- by more than 100 yards. He's also leading the league in carries. The Cowboys have relied on him too much so far. How about saving his legs when they're up by two touchdowns?


*****Carson Wentz is #2 behind Dak, and Titans RT Jack Conklin is at #3.*****

http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/sto...kiel-elliott-dallas-cowboys-strike-draft-gold

 

[CT Dal Fan]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

 

[FuzzyLumpkins]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

People's opinions are meaningless. Whether or not Zeke can still perform after 300 carries is the question. 29 broke down in 2014 and we relied on Romo to carry us down the stretch.

 

[Idgit]

Kiper's such a derp.

 

[BigD]

I wasn't a fan of his garbage time carries against GB but other than that, feed him!

 

[CT Dal Fan]

People's opinions are meaningless. Whether or not Zeke can still perform after 300 carries is the question. 29 broke down in 2014 and we relied on Romo to carry us down the stretch.

I agree about Zeke, but Murray was slowed late in 2014 by a broken hand; not by his heavy workload. He actually had 123 yards rushing in the playoff loss at Green Bay (the Dez non-catch game). Murray also had 100 yards in the finale at Washington that year.

 

[DTown214]

Any rookie rankings that don't have Dak and Zeke at number 1 and 2 in some order is wrong. Simple as that.

 

[waldoputty]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

I tend to agree that Zeke is getting carries when unnecessary, like when the game is decided.

I would think Zeke should be at least #3 if not #2, even if Wentz plays in a more critical position.
Of course, we are kind of biased. lol

 

[Broges74]

He isn't taking huge hits. Carries, by themselves, isn't such a big problem. It's taking a pounding that wears down a back.

 

[waldoputty]

He isn't taking huge hits. Carries, by themselves, isn't such a big problem. It's taking a pounding that wears down a back.

is he taking less hits?
some of those look pretty hard...
i have not search for old Murray runs.

 

[DFWJC]

Here's the third edition of my ranking of the top rookies through Week 6 in the NFL, plus another group of guys who just missed the list. I've also included the rankings of where each player landed on my final top 300 prospects list before the 2016 draft.

Here are the parameters, same as always:

• This is a measure for all games this season, not just last week.
  
  
• Total snap count matters. Staying on the field is a measure of value.
  
  
• Positional value matters, but overall performance and impact on the team matter more.
  
  
• Relative value matters. I ask: Would this player be a starter on most teams or on a good team?

1. Dak Prescott, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Previously ranked: 2 | Final 2016 Big Board rank: 114

How can Prescott not move up to No. 1? The fourth-round pick is No. 2 in the league in Total QBR, he just set the record for passes without an interception to open a career (176) and the Cowboys are 5-1. As Tony Romo inches closer to a return from his back injury, an interesting QB1 decision looms.


4. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys
Previously ranked: 8 | Final 2016 Big Board rank: 8

Before the draft, I said Elliott was one of the best running back prospects to enter the league over the past decade, and he is already leading the league in rushing -- by more than 100 yards. He's also leading the league in carries. The Cowboys have relied on him too much so far. How about saving his legs when they're up by two touchdowns?


*****Carson Wentz is #2 behind Dak, and Titans RT Jack Conklin is at #3.*****

http://www.espn.com/nfl/insider/sto...kiel-elliott-dallas-cowboys-strike-draft-gold

My insider ran out in the summer and I haven't renewed.
Could list the players without the write-ups?

 

[MichaelWinicki]

The kids getting too many carries.

In a close game he gets more carries... In blow-outs Morris should be getting more carries.

 

[BotchedLobotomy]

The kids getting too many carries.

In a close game he gets more carries... In blow-outs Morris should be getting more carries.

Yep, Morris can help this team now and down the road by spelling Zeke once in awhile. Zeke finishing out the Packer game was a head scratcher.

 

[CVN68_Cowboys]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

Absolutely zero doubt about it. ZE has proven a ton of those "you don't pick a RB that high" idiots in the media and the general public so wrong so far they're slack jawed.

 

[Proximo]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

Also consider EE barely played in preseason and basically had no training camp. While that probably contributed to his slow start in weeks 1 & 2, I'll gladly take the trade off if his legs stay fresher longer.

I think he'll definitely be fine until at least week 10. Depending on how things play out I wouldn't mind seeing his carries lessen around that time to help preserve him for a late season push, or dare I say, playoffs.

 

[stilltheguru88]

How many Cowboy fans are offended that Dak is higher than Wentz?

 

[Aven8]

The kids getting too many carries.

In a close game he gets more carries... In blow-outs Morris should be getting more carries.

I was nervous for most of the games until the final minutes. You know how quickly teams can score in this league and especially against our D. At least in the past. The coaches want a closer and it's him. Morris is a fine RB, but when he's in it looks like he's in slow motion compared to Zeke.

 

[Redball Express]

Anybody else here think that if the Cowboys were giving Elliott fewer carries, they'd be criticizing them for not using the player they spent the fourth overall pick on?

I know Zeke has gotten some big workloads this year (Bengals game excluded), but he's getting so many yards prior to contact behind this line he's probably not going to wear down.

I do not think you start worrying about saving a RB's legs who is 21 years old and only 5 games into his career.

I don't recall Dorsett being moderated..

nor Emmitt Smith..

and we have no guarantees we make the playoffs so saving him for that is a false belief.

Now..running Morris more as the end of the season makes sense since the weather will be worst in places like NY and Philly..

he knows what to do in those conditions more..

But you still give Zeke 15 to 20 touches whether it's runs or passes.

The burden to manage things is Linehan and how he calls the plays.

We got a huge break not to have played the Packers in December..

things might have been different.

 

[Doomsday]

When Zeke starts appearing even remotely tired, then I will be concerned about his carries.

A lot of backs start to get up slow etc when they are fed the ball 28 plus times, he pops up looking for more.

I don't remember Jimmy pulling Emmitt at the end of games.

 

[fishspill]

Did anyone else notice the bye week? They probably wouldn't load his carries if he didn't have 2 weeks off.