Former player: Ezekiel Elliott is a Hall of Famer in Dallas

A two-time Super Bowl champion predicts Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott will become a Hall of Famer if he’s drafted by the Dallas Cowboys.

Since the Dallas Cowboys joined the NFL in 1960, only 20 of their former players have been inducted into the Hall of Fame. Out of those 20, only 12 are seen as spending a majority of their career in Dallas. And out of those 12, only two were running backs. Those names are, of course, Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett.

So when a former Super Bowl champion predicts the Cowboys could land a Hall of Fame-level player in the upcoming NFL Draft, it’s newsworthy. And potentially franchise-changing.

That’s exactly what former Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback turned NFL Media analyst Ike Taylor has predicted for Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott if he is drafted by the Cowboys fourth overall in the draft that takes place later this month.

"“If their offensive line can stay healthy for Dallas, [Ezekiel Elliott is} going to be a Hall of Famer, if this guy can stay healthy,” Taylor said during a segment on the NFL Network via NFL.com on Monday. “I was impressed (at the combine). One, for his size. Two, if you just roll the tape and see this guy, guys didn’t want to hit him. Then when I saw him in person, I was like ‘I don’t really want to hit this guy either.’ This guy is built for speed, he’s built (low) to the ground. … Dallas, running behind that big offensive line, it’s going to be scary when gets to that second level.”"

In the modern era of the NFL, there are only 30 total running backs currently in the Hall of Fame. They are revered names like Walter Payton, Jim Brown and Barry Sanders. These are seen as once in a generation players.

If the Cowboys have an opportunity to draft such a player, I believe every Dallas fan would support the selection. But is that player Elliott? That’s the big unknown.

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Elliott is the best running back in this draft class, hands down. And he’s the only runner in this class with a first round grade. Elliott is a home run threat, that can pound the ball between the tackles, is a decent receiver out of the backfield that also excels in pass protection. This kid really doesn’t have any glaring weaknesses.

During Elliott’s final two seasons at Ohio State he recorded a whopping 3,699 rushing yards, 55 receptions and had a total of 42 touchdowns.

If the Cowboys believe Elliott has the potential to be a Hall of Famer, I’m not sure how you can pass him up. Unfortunately, I’m also not sure the Dallas brass are convinced the former Buckeye will become one or even value the position high enough to take a running back fourth overall.

In fact, based on the Cowboys recent history, I’d expect them to more likely believe they can find a very productive back in the later rounds of the draft that could shine just as bright as Elliott behind their dominate offensive line. And they could be right.

But if Elliott is next year’s Rookie of the Year, expect to hear more than a few jeers from the Cowboys faithful. Especially if Dallas’ top selection turns out to be a bust.

Next: Cowboys Romo, Elliott could be new Elway, Davis

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