Burleson: Cowboys Ezekiel Elliott will finish third in rushing

Former NFL wide receiver Nate Burleson believes Dallas Cowboys rookie running back Ezekiel Elliott will finish third in total rushing yardage in 2016.

Draft analysts were drooling over the prospect of Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott landing with the Dallas Cowboys and running behind an offensive line many consider to be the best in the entire NFL.

Now that this dream is a reality, as the Cowboys used the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft to pick Elliott, fans are anticipating a big season from the rookie. Unfortunately, some former players don’t feel the same.

When six former players were asked who they thought would led the league in rushing yardage in 2016, none of them picked Elliott. And out of the six, only one even mentioned Zeke. And he believes the talented runner will finish third behind the Cowboys-O-line.

"“Peterson will pace the league yet again — followed by Gurley and Ezekiel Elliott,” predicted former NFL wide receiver and current writer for NFL.com Nate Burleson in an article that appeared on the league’s official site last week. “History has taught us not to count on an aging back to lead the league in rushing. History also has taught us not to doubt Adrian Peterson. Todd Gurley will be a close second, followed by Ezekiel Elliott.”"

The last time a rookie led the league in rushing was the Indianapolis Colts’ Edgerrin James back in 1999. So it’s understandable that these experts would not look for Elliott to outdo established names like Adrian Peterson and Todd Gurley.

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But Elliott has three things going in his favor. Obviously, the offensive line is a plus. The fact that Elliott is an excellent receiver and pass blocker means he never needs to leave the field. Finally, consider what the Cowboys did with former running back DeMarco Murray two seasons ago.

In 2014, the Cowboys gave Murray 392 opportunities to run the ball. That was 80 more carries than the next closest player, then-Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (312). Murray took those numerous opportunities and led the league in rushing to the tune of 1,845 yards.

If Elliott gets anywhere close to that many carries in 2016, then I don’t see how he couldn’t be at or near the top in rushing yardage this season. Although many Cowboys fans would rather the team have a season-ending record like they did in 2014 (12-4) over a rushing title. Dallas is hoping those two things go hand in hand.

Next: Cowboys explain how they’ll use Ezekiel Elliott

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