What if we drafted Ramsey, would Darius had rushed for 1400 yds?

[Verdict]

There are a couple of people posting in this thread that are highly predictable. They consistently take a ridiculous position and defend it to the end. Its always the same group that chime in together as if they are actually one person posting. Moreover they often take a hateful, ******, antagonistic approach to posting. It really gets old.

 

[LocimusPrime]

NFL's Top 10 rushers last season:

1 Ezekiel Elliott DAL - R1 - 4th overall
2 Jordan Howard CHI - R5 - 150th pick
3 DeMarco Murray TEN - R3 - 71st pick
4 Jay Ajayi MIA - R5 - 149th pick
5 Le'Veon Bell PIT - R2 - 48th pick
6 LeSean McCoy BUF - R2 - 53rd pick
7 David Johnson ARI - R3 - 86th pick
8 LeGarrette Blount NE - undrafted
9 Devonta Freeman ATL - R4 - 103rd pick
10 Lamar Miller - R4 - 97th pick

Off those Top 10 rushers, Zeke led all the RBs with 322 carries. No other back had more than 293 carries.

I'm fully onboard with drafting Zeke, but those acting like it's a stretch to imagine getting similar production from a less highly drafted RB are ignoring reality.

Thanks for posting...I was actually shocked at the list.

 

[joseephuss]

NFL's Top 10 rushers last season:

1 Ezekiel Elliott DAL - R1 - 4th overall
2 Jordan Howard CHI - R5 - 150th pick
3 DeMarco Murray TEN - R3 - 71st pick
4 Jay Ajayi MIA - R5 - 149th pick
5 Le'Veon Bell PIT - R2 - 48th pick
6 LeSean McCoy BUF - R2 - 53rd pick
7 David Johnson ARI - R3 - 86th pick
8 LeGarrette Blount NE - undrafted
9 Devonta Freeman ATL - R4 - 103rd pick
10 Lamar Miller - R4 - 97th pick

Off those Top 10 rushers, Zeke led all the RBs with 322 carries. No other back had more than 293 carries.

I'm fully onboard with drafting Zeke, but those acting like it's a stretch to imagine getting similar production from a less highly drafted RB are ignoring reality.

That is a good list, but Jordan Howard is the only one on that list who was available for Dallas in 2016. Drafting him would have meant missing out on Dak Prescott. Also, in 2015 some were saying Dallas should have drafted Jeremy Langford and wanted to imagine him behind the Cowboys line. That didn't work out too well for the Bears seeing as they had to find another running back in 2016.

I'm not ignoring the possibility of finding a gem in later rounds at the running back position or any position. A good organization relies on doing so. They got a great player with their first pick. It happened. Why do some dwell on what could have happened and regret the pick? The player chosen and the team had success. There is nothing to regret there, yet some do. That will never make sense to me. I understand regretting when a player who isn't good is chosen. I hated the Bobby Carpenter pick before the 2006 draft, after that draft and now. Regretting bad picks makes sense. Regretting good players does not.

 

[John813]

Jay Ajayi was a day 2 back but fell due to that knee condition that may or may not affect his career.

Miami got one hell of a back in the 5th round. No doubt in my mind he would be a top 3 back in yards if Miami had/has a competent line.

 

[kevm3]

I think what Zeke brings is more than just the running game. He actually helps change the atmosphere on the team. The chemistry he has with the rest of the team, especially Dak, may not be there if we draft another back.

 

[Dwight]

I think what Zeke brings is more than just the running game. He actually helps change the atmosphere on the team. The chemistry he has with the rest of the team, especially Dak, may not be there if we draft another back.

Exactly.

Zeke took pressure off the defense. Therefore, drafting him helped both the offense and defense. There is no way a CB can do that on a consistent basis or at all.

I'm still perplexed on why anyone would want Ramsey still.

Right now if you swap Ramsey and Zeke it would be difficult for this team to get into the playoffs. That's how big of an impact Zeke is compared to Ramsey.

 

[NotForLong]

Also, in 2015 some were saying Dallas should have drafted Jeremy Langford and wanted to imagine him behind the Cowboys line. That didn't work out too well for the Bears seeing as they had to find another running back in 2016.

Just because Howard is a better back then Langford doesnt necessarily mean he wouldnt succeed behind Cowboys OLine

Its not so far fetched to believe he would get 1350 yds 13 td.

 

[NotForLong]

Jay Ajayi was a day 2 back but fell due to that knee condition that may or may not affect his career.

Miami got one hell of a back in the 5th round. No doubt in my mind he would be a top 3 back in yards if Miami had/has a competent line.

If you switched teams with Ezekiel and Ajayi. Who would have led the league in rushing?

 

[NotForLong]

All RBs are a product of thier O line they go hand in hand.

CBs on the other hand are on an island. They can and do have a direct effect on how a team will be able to execute an effecient passing game. As Cal Poly showed Ramsey was tested many times and stepped up and prevailed as a rookie. Hes only going to get better. His Ceiling is sky high.

Of course you can get scrappy tough minded hard working over achieving lil CBs like we found in the later rds.

But Ramseys size and skillset are what scouts druel over. Theres a reason the Eagles drafted Jones ahead of Awuzie and Lewis, because hes got prototypical size.

The only time I "regret" Elliott is
1. when he wore the half tux,
2. pulled the womans top down.
3. Every time he does the feed me celebration after a 1st down. (I bet all the hypocrits who hated TO love Zekes antics)

Then to actually throw milk and cereal into your face while you look like an animal possessed is not a good look.

But its only the beginning of year 2 the Zeke Show is just starting.

To think Tony only wore his hat backwards

 

[NotForLong]

 

[John813]

If you switched teams with Ezekiel and Ajayi. Who would have led the league in rushing?

Probably Ajayi. However, I would rather have EE over Ajayi, and I'm a fan of both teams. Ajayi is a guy who does have some speed, but not that top end speed like Zeke. However, I think Zeke would of done a very good job in Miami even with their injury plagued line. We have an elite line. No shame in wanting an elite back behind them. Not to mention Ajayi threw a hissy fit before week 1 when they signed Foster. That's what led to him being left in Miami when they played at Seattle.

I was/still of the mindset that you can find great backs just about anywhere in the draft, especially day 2. Proof is there. However, I really believe Zeke can be one of those elite backs. Could we of gotten better value with Ramsey at #4 and then a RB later on? Maybe. However, we went with Zeke at #4 and well it hasn't backfired. Defenses quickly had to respect our run game with Zeke in the game and couldn't pin their ears onto Dak.

Zeke, like other young adults, especially with **** you money, will party. He has a target above his head because he's easily noticeable and plays for a very popular team. Would I like to see him make wiser/business decisions in public, sure.

 

[Sydla]

I have given this topic a lot of thought. After careful analysis and reflection, I have come to the following answer to the question posed at the start of this very long and tragic thread.

The answer is.............

No.