Dallas Cowboys and Ezekiel Elliott: A match made in heaven?

We discuss why running game Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys might just be a match made in heaven.

One the more interesting topics of discussion for the Dallas Cowboys during the off-season has been about the running back position and who Jerry Jones and Company can find to pair with veteran running back Darren McFadden.

We have already witnessed all of the top veteran free-agent running backs signed to bigger contracts then the Cowboys were willing to pay, but that doesn’t mean they can’t still add depth to the position with another veteran runner. There are still some options available in free agency if they decide to go that route, but I think their best bet is to be true to their new off-season strategy and find that player through the draft.

With the fourth overall selection in the first round the Cowboys have a big decision to make about whether or not they believe that selecting a running back that high would be beneficial to the team. They could be on the side that believe the position has devalued enough to where running back wouldn’t even be a consideration that high, but that can only be answered once they submit their draft card with someone’s name written on it.

Personally, I think there are very few players that will be available when the Cowboys are on the clock that can have an instant impact more than a running back, and that is why I believe Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys are a match made in heaven.

To be completely honest, I was hoping they would sign a veteran running back but the money they were seeking was simply more than the Cowboys were willing to offer.

Let’s take a look at the contracts of some of the free agent running backs the Cowboys were rumored to be interested in:

Lamar Miller signed a 4 year, $26,000,000 contract with the Houston Texans, including $14,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,500,000.

Chris Ivory signed a 5 year, $32,000,000 contract with the Jacksonville Jaguars, including a $5,000,000 signing bonus, $10,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $6,400,000.

Doug Martin signed a 5 year, $35,750,000 contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, including $15,000,000 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $7,150,000. In 2016, Martin will earn a base salary of $4,000,000 and a roster bonus of $4,000,000. Martin has a cap hit of $8,000,000 while his dead money value is $15,000,000.

As you can see, the Cowboys are probably wise to avoid getting in the mix of adding any three of these free agent running backs considering the contracts they received.

I personally think that they would be better served drafting Ezekiel Elliott with their first-round selection based on the player I believe he will be in the NFL and the fact that his rookie contract would be cheaper then Miller, Martin, or Ivory.

For comparison sake let’s take a look at the contract of the fourth overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Oakland Raiders.

Amari Cooper signed a 4 year, $22,663,116 contract with the Oakland Raiders, including a $14,742,266 signing bonus, $22,663,116 guaranteed, and an average annual salary of $5,665,779.

Cooper’s cap hit in 2015 was $4,120,566, it increases to $5,150,708 in 2016, $6,180,850 in 2017, and $7,210,993 in 2018 with a fifth-year option available in 2019.

If Elliott is indeed the Cowboys selection in the first round his contract will be similar to that of Cooper’s. I will admit that it is quite a lot of money to invest in a running back, but the impact that I believe he can have should make it well worth it.

Elliott is probably the most complete running back coming out of college since Adrian Peterson. There really are not any holes or weaknesses to his games. He can step in day one and be the starter if need be.

He has the speed to be effective running outside and the power to run inside. He is more than capable of being a reliable receiver in the passing game, as well as providing pass protection.

The selection of Elliott would allow the Cowboys to get back to the blueprint that worked so well for them in 2014 when they relied on DeMarco Murray to pound the ball and eat up the play clock. This would not only help keep Tony Romo upright, but help keep the defense fresh throughout the entirety of the game.

Elliott is an exceptional running back and the numerous ways he can help out the entire team is undeniable. It really just comes down to whether or not the Cowboys believe drafting him so highly is the right choice.

We cannot really predict who will be drafted with the first three picks, but I’m fully believe that Elliott has to be in the conversation one the Cowboys are on the clock at number four.

Let me hear what you think in the comments section below.

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