Why Ezekiel Elliott is the Cowboys only choice
If Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott isn’t the Dallas Cowboys choice fourth overall on Thursday, you’ll hear what it sounds like when doves cry.
I knew a girl named Nikki. The Dallas Cowboys was her team. I met her in a hotel lobby, The Landry Hat on her tablet screen. I said, “Who you like with the fourth pick?” and I could not resist when she said “Zeke Elliott”.
We started to talk about the other options like defensive end Joey Bosa and cornerback Jalen Ramsey but the lobby got crowded and loud. She put on her raspberry beret – the kind you find in a second hand store – and we strolled down Alphabet Street to Paisley Park cafe and walked in through the out door.
She was highly upset that head coach Jason Garrett focuses on finding players that are “the right kind of guy”, but defensive ends Randy Gregory and DeMarcus Lawrence are facing four game suspensions to start the season. However, that isn’t a great reason to draft Joey Bosa. When she referenced my article describing Rod Marinelli’s defensive line philosophy, I thought she might be the most beautiful girl in the world.
Lawrence and Gregory are solid players. Gregory didn’t have any sacks last year. Lawrence had a sack streak near the end of last season, but teams aren’t fearing them yet. They aren’t double digit sack guys or pro bowlers so offensive tackles don’t get delirious whenever they’re near.
Last year, you better believe that teams knew where Greg Hardy was lined up. If your car goes into the shop for four weeks, you don’t buy a new one.
In 2013, injuries caused the Cowboys to use 20 different defensive linemen, they didn’t draft 15 defensive linemen in 2014. Every team that didn’t lead the league in sacks believes defensive end is a position of need, but drafting Bosa because two players will be suspended in 2016 isn’t necessary.
The conversation moved to Ramsey. With the draft tomorrow, everyone assumes we will draft either Ramsey or Elliott. They’re both desirable like diamonds and pearls but we worried about Ramsey’s true position. Let’s go crazy and assume the Cowboys want Ramsey to be the starting cornerback.
The Cowboys have two nine year veterans at cornerback with Brandon Carr and Orlando Scandrick. You’ll see purple rain inside AT&T stadium before Ramsey replaces them. For all of the flaws with safety Barry Church in pass coverage, he’s a team captain and led the team with 78 solo tackles last season.
Are you willing to use the fourth pick on a player that will battle Morris Claiborne for the third or nickel cornerback spot? Many would agree that the Cowboys slowed Byron Jones‘ development by not allowing him to focus on one position last season.
Jones received playing time due to Scandrick’s injury and poor performances by J.J. Wilcox. If everyone remains healthy, Ramsey’s playing time will be limited. They could also hinder his development by starting him at cornerback and moving him to safety next year when Church becomes an unrestricted free agent.
That leaves us with Elliott and her face lit up. Adore would be an understatement. She hoped the front office calls Elliott saying “Nothing compares to you, welcome to the Cowboys.” Elliott would immediately help our offense drive down the field like a little red corvette with Tony Romo at the wheel. No need for controversy, Elliott becomes the starter when his name is announced. Cowboy Nation won’t party like it’s 1999, but like 1992, 1993 and 1995.
Girls and boys, it’s been a million days (actually 4,745) since the Cowboys picked in the top five of the NFL draft (2003 – Terrence Newman, 5th overall). A small sign o’ the times of how good we’ve actually been, even during our “mediocre” seasons.
When Elliott is mentioned, people point out that DeMarco Murray was a third round pick. He showed potential, exceeding 1,000 yards in his third year of development, while the Cowboys built the offensive line. The Murray we saw during his record setting fourth season isn’t better than Elliott coming out of college.
I miss Nikki. She said I had a dirty mind and left after I foolishly said, “Let’s pretend we’re married.” However, I’ll never forget that Elliott was our consensus pick. If he isn’t selected or heaven forbid, the Cowboys flirt with fire and trade down – you’ll hear what it sounds like when doves cry.
#GoCowboys
#PrinceRIP
Find me at Facebook.com/CowboysRob
Next: Dallas Cowboys 2016 Draft: Nine Full Mock Drafts
Thank you for reading the above article. It’s our sincere hope you’ll visit our site often as we work really hard to provide Cowboys fans with fresh, daily content about their favorite team. Please feel free to take part in further discussions about this topic below in our comment section. All we ask is that each participant is respectful in both their responses and towards others. Thanks again and…Go Cowboys!