Mel Kiper's Rookie Big Board (ESPN Insider)

[CVN68_Cowboys]

Or you could give it to Morris. A former 1600 yard rusher with a career 4.4 avg.

Not many backs make it thorough 350 carries a season. Dickerson was special.

Let's take the long term view on this player and team.

I wouldn't be opposed to sprinkling a few more carries Morris' way, but I'm not worried about years 5-7 with ZE, only about 1-4. I think ZE may be special, too. We'll see, but he looks like a hungry velociraptor out there so far.

 

[Risen Star]

All this whining about Zeke Elliott's workload. That mentality would have prevented Emmitt from being Emmitt.

When you have a truly great workhorse franchise RB you use him accordingly.

 

[big dog cowboy]

All this whining about Zeke Elliott's workload. That mentality would have prevented Emmitt from being Emmitt.

In his short stint with the Cowboys, Elliott is averaging more carries and overall touches per game than Smith. Smith proved he could handle that kind of workload while Elliott hasn't yet.

 

[AzorAhai]

But giving the guy 22-24 carries a game is simply going to take its toll, and if not this season then next. NFL history has shown that guys getting 1,800+ yards are going to wear out.

He's on pace for 365+ carries and 395 touches. I don't care how nervous anyone is or even how close the games are. They have to get that number down significantly.

 

[Coy]

Not bashing Dak in any kind of way, he's been awsome but QBR doesn't say much.
Somehow Gabbert and Winston have a higher QBR than Russell Wilson, Weird

 

[CVN68_Cowboys]

Not bashing Dak in any kind of way, he's been awsome but QBR doesn't say much.
Somehow Gabbert and Winston have a higher QBR than Russell Wilson, Weird

With you on QBR, which is a proprietary ESPN stat, but FO has Prescott at #2 in DYAR and #3 in DVOA in their adjusted statistics that are way better than just using QBR. Prescott has been NFL elite this year in comparison to his starting peers. It's pretty remarkable.

 

[gimmesix]

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

Elliott has had two games with more than 23 carries out of six. He's had 20, 21, 30, 15, 23 and 28.

If we're complaining about two games where he was in the 30 range, we're really looking hard for something to complain about.

 

[CVN68_Cowboys]

Elliott has had two games with more than 23 carries out of six. He's had 20, 21, 30, 15, 23 and 28.

If we're complaining about two games where he was in the 30 range, we're really looking hard for something to complain about.

Very true. I feel like people hear these overused sports cliches on sports radio, ESPN, or wherever and it makes them get caught in this constant loop of worry. There are whole years left before even considering this as a limiting factor. As a positive, you brought up the number 23. The Cowboys defense has given up as much as 23 points in a game only one time this year so far.

 

[robbieruff]

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 agree. So far Zeke has not been taking a pounding. Moreover, he's a back that gets better with reps thru the coarse of the game. I am confident that we will manage his workload appropriately as the season wears on. There used to be the same chirping about Emmitt.

 

[Cebrin]

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

Murray was not nearly shifty as Zeke, so yes. Murray ran like a fullback most of the time in 2014, and his wear and tear showed. Not to mention Zeke is a child, and has a lot more tread on the tires.

 

[LatinMind]

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.

he only has 12 more carries than lamar miller to lead the league. 2 whole carries more a game.

 

[AbeBeta]

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

If we weren't going into a bye, I'd have an issue with those carries. But it was a close out the game situation. Low probability for a GB comeback but even less a chance if they never see the ball

 

[ActualCowboysFan]

Morris is not some bs back. He deserves carries on talent alone. Keeping Zeke fresh is an added bonus and smart. He's used to playing 10 or so games a year. I hope they're smart about this to have him ready for that second weekend of playoffs after the bye.

I'll agree with this. His face on the sidelines isn't great and he keeps making positive posts about the Commanders on Instagram.

 

[speedkilz88]

Elliott also leads the NFL in carries with 137, putting him on pace for 365 for the season.

The day after games, Elliott spends time in the cold tub to rejuvenate his legs. Two days after, he goes through running work with his teammates. Three days later, he gets a massage.

“My body feels great,” Elliott said. “I think I’ve been doing a good job of just making sure that I’m taking care of my body. Found a good routine and make sure I rehab and get back ready by Sunday but ... I’ve not really taken too many big hits. We got that great O-line so that helps.”

Before the draft, Elliott lobbied to play behind the Cowboys’ offensive line.

“It’s been exactly what I expected,” Elliott said. “Those guys, they work their tails off and you see it in game. You see the results in the games.”

Two years ago, the weekly question around the Cowboys was Murray’s workload. He ended up carrying the ball a franchise-record 392 times. Elliott is averaging 22.8 carries a game. While not at Murray’s pace, Brown said the Cowboys try to monitor the work.

“I think what happens is once he gets into the flow of a game, you want to kind of try to monitor but you understand in tough games you don’t want to compromise your team,” Brown said. “We’ve got to monitor his reps, obviously, but when the game is in the balance, he’s going to be in there.”

Ezekiel Elliott Thinks Run Game Can Improve.

 

[JBell]

Zeke is 21 fellas. We shouldn't treat him like an MLB pitcher with a pitch count. RB's inevitably start declining around 30 no matter how cautious you are with them. It's too brutal of a position. Maximize Zeke's talent and youth while we can.

LaDanian had over 700 carries in his first two seasons. He went on to have 6 straight seasons of 1,000+ yards and 10+ TD's after that before he started declining. Emmitt had 350+ carries in 4 of his first 6 seasons and longevity wasn't an issue for him. Curtis Martin: 368 carries his rookie season.

Zeke is a special back. Let him eat.

 

[Toruk_Makto]

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.

No?

28 carries in essentially a route is too much.

 

[JBell]

No?

28 carries in essentially a route is too much.

GB scored a TD to cut it to 27-16 with 7 minutes left.

If you sit Zeke at that point and they go 3 and out, everyone is calling for JG's head. Instead he seals the game with that 29 yard run and they're able to chew up a few more minutes off the clock.

Now the last possession I agree that Zeke's 4 carries were unnecessary when they're just running out clock, but it's not that big of a deal.

 

[CalPolyTechnique]

I think we should definitely monitor his workload, but as it relates to the Green Bay game, I think it all balances out because he only had 15 carries the week prior against Cincy.

 

[DFWJC]

I know this is only 6 games in and has almost zero meaning (yet) longer term, but the Chargers draft is looking pretty great so far too.
3 in the top 10.

 

[NextGenBoys]

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.

Not to mention he looks great this year.