The evidence of a Zeke decline

[Bobhaze]

The numbers don’t lie. Ezekiel Elliott is showing multiple signs of a decline in the performance most people assumed wouldn’t happen until for at least 2-3 more seasons before declining. He’s only 25, but he has a ton of touches on his tire treads. It’s hard not to wonder if he will never again have that magnetic playmaking ability he had at the beginning of career.

When Zeke hit the scene in 2016, he showed an incredible combination of power, speed and playmaking ability. Behind that once great OL, Zeke was clearly the best RB in the league from 2016-18. But the last two seasons, his burst and ability to break a big run has dropped precipitously.

Here is some of the stat evidence:

• Yards per carry- 2016: 5.1, 2017: 4.1, 2018: 4.7, 2019: 4.5, 2019: 4.1
• Yards per game- 2016: 108, 2017: 98, 2018: 95, 2018: 95, 2019: 85, 2020: 69
• Yards after contact: only have numbers since 2018 but he has finished 4th, 6th and 7th the last 3 seasons in yards after contact.

And the fumbles....Omg...Zeke has the most fumbles of any RB since he came in the league- specifically 22 fumbles since he came in the league, but he’s had 14 fumbles in just the last two seasons, losing 7. And you can’t say it’s because he has more touches. Because Derrick Henry, Christian McCaffrey, and Joe Mixon have comparable touches, but have much fewer fumbles. Henry and McCaffrey have had 5 fumbles each, while Joe Mixon has only had one fumble the last two years!

I believe Zeke still has talent and can be a big contributor. But it is no longer in doubt, he has not what he used to be. And with this makeshift OL in front of him now, he is almost on his own.

And he has a big contract.

 

[DCowboyz]

Honestly, I also think Dak not being there is messing with his head even more. The OL isn't helping either.

 

[big dog cowboy]

My 20/20 vision is all I need.

 

[superonyx]

The bigger decline between 2016 and 2020 is the offensive line.
I know today is bash Zeke day on the zone. But being honest. Zeke may be 80% of what he was.
The offensive line is about 20% of what they were.

 

[Pessimist_cowboy]

I can’t remember the last time he had a long run.

 

[Aviano90]

Been on full display since the beginning of the 2017 season. It's just taking some people longer to see it than others.

 

[John813]

Dude was a guy who struck gold in 2016 behind a GOAT line. As the line fell apart so did his stats. Yet, he got paid as if he was a difference maker. But in reality he's now a plodder who can get a yard or two if there is a guy in his face. No care to avoid contact or make a guy miss. We got a poor mans 33 year old Jerome Bettis with a younger Tiki Barber hands.

 

[baltcowboy]

I want the Zeke stans to personally apologize to my boy Aria. The good news is the Giants are going to give Barkley more money then Zeke this offseason.

 

[DanTanna]

Zeke has lost all top end speed. Other players are running 20mph+ , and Zeke never gets above 14.

He's lost it man. Now with his contract he can just loaf and he's set for life.

 

[Future]

I want the Zeke stans to personally apologize to my boy Aria. The good news is the Giants are going to give Barkley more money then Zeke this offseason.

Aria is a little baby, who bags on Zeke for everything under the sun because he doesn't like him personally. He's a clown, and Zeke fumbling doesn't change that.

 

[Aven8]

He’s not the same. When he runs now he has too much forward lean and when he breaks through arm tackles he ends up falling down.

 

[lukin2006]

Zeke is done. What an overpaid bum. He is lazy and does not put the effort in.

 

[Montanalo]

Zeke really hasn't been a differece-maker for the past couple of years. When a few yards or a big play is needed, the team looks to Cooper, Gallup, Schultz and now Lamb.

 

[streetcredit]

Laugh at him now but next game he breaks free for 6 yards

 

[Bobhaze]

Derrick Henry and Zeke are going in opposite directions. And that’s not all because of OL.

 

[Sydla]

Aria is a little baby, who bags on Zeke for everything under the sun because he doesn't like him personally. He's a clown, and Zeke fumbling doesn't change that.

Maybe, maybe not.

But he's spot on with Elliott. Elliott is not an elite back and hasn't been for some years. He doesn't have the burst or speed that elite backs have. He's a grinder at this point and we significantly overpaid him when he held out. Just another in a long line of questionable front office moves made by the Jones'.

 

[Hook'em#11]

Never should've paid him. But, oh well.

I think it's all in his head. He just ain't right this season.

 

[Aviano90]

Derrick Henry and Zeke are going in opposite directions. And that’s not all because of OL.

Zeke has relied on natural ability. It's really disappointing because I can only imagine how good he could have been if he had a strong work ethic and improved from his rookie year instead of declining.

Kobe Bryant said he always wanted to be thought of as a talented overachiever. He had talent but he worked as though he had none. I wish Zeke had the same mentality to see how great he could have been. Still has nice production up to this point, but disappointing when you think of what he could have been.

 

[Zordon]

double.

 

[blueblood70]

his fumbles are inexcusable but they are an anomaly , unfortunate

but hes not declined to the tone of this board..im sick of the idiots who cant see its more of coaching and OL that changed not zeke..Kellen Moore and the OL issues have caused a decline in or run game which is and should be our identity..

zeke angered me this year with the fumbles but his production is still there of you take into account the OL issue and play calling..KM is the worst run scheming OC over ever witnessed here..its like hes a pass Coordinator and doenst know how to integrate blocking schemes and disguises , motion that helps the run game..