In 2005, I remember watching Ronnie Brown, Cedric Benson, and Cadillac Williams go in the first five picks of the draft. Three of the first five picks were running backs, and colossal busts all of them.
They're not alone. We can name poor first-round RB choices all day long if you want to. And even more troubling is the fact that so many great running backs come much later in the draft.
Add to that, great running backs are....what? I'm not sure how to calculate their value these days. Teams win with or without them, and teams lose with or without them. They sell jerseys and bring us out of our seats because they're a fantastically fun watch and they're so easy to measure statistically. They've certainly always been my favorite players on the field, I admit, because I love the running game. Emmitt and Dorsett are my two favorites of all time.
But do they win? Are they really all that necessary to win? Is drafting them this early patently stupid in this era?
That was a rather long route to the question, Should Dallas draft Ezekiel Elliott?
No way, you say. I would tend to agree. Couple the bust potential of backs with the lack of necessity, and that adds up to a pass rusher, corner, or future quarterback instead. Right?
But this cat is different and deserves a second look. Elliott is a punishing runner who can break free and run away. This dude was used frequently as a lead blocker for crying out loud. He catches the ball beautifully, and he is a terrific pass protector who seems to love doing so. Romo's collar bone heard that.
A three-down back with speed, power, smarts, and a sturdy build. Elliott's completeness reminds me of Emmitt Smith or Adrian Peterson. Put him behind a line like this, and you have an inexpensive upgrade to a position that carried the water with Romo in 2014, and delivers the same tough style that Demarco Murray provided.
If Dallas doesn't take him, I don't think he lasts but a few more picks. Trading down is risky. Chicago would nab him in a heartbeat. Or Philly. Puke.
The simple truth is, no Romo, no season. So why not have Elliott and McFadden as a 1-2 punch, both of which can pass protect. Perhaps pound the football relentlessly and limit Romo's throws. Run clock. Be 2014 again right now.
Bosa scares me. Ramsey doesn't do enough now for this team. Future quarterbacks are the iffiest of risks, and wouldn't help a lick this year. Oregon linemen have no pedigree. And none of the other runners later have Elliott's all-around game.
I'm still generally not for drafting running backs in the first round, but this guy is different. He would make the biggest and most immediate impact of anyone in the draft.
And who doesn't want to say "Zeke!" for the next 10 years? I'm sold.
