Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott pairing looking more like fate
By Tyler Harris
The Dallas Cowboys and running back Ezekiel Elliott were deemed a match made in heaven. Now with running back Darren McFadden’s latest injury maybe it was a match of fate.
When the Dallas Cowboys made running back Ezekiel Elliott the fourth overall selection in the 2016 NFL Draft many considered the pairing to be a match made in heaven. After all, the best back in the draft class was going to the team with arguably the best offensive-line in the NFL. This led to a crowded backfield as Zeke joined fellow backs Darren McFadden, Alfred Morris, and Lance Dunbar.
Some fans were infuriated by the move arguing that the Cowboys were already deep enough in the offensive backfield that adding another back to the mix made little sense. Never mind the opinions on what was justified at the time, the front office and head coach Jason Garrett have a good track record of late on drafting first rounders. Additionally, with McFadden breaking a bone in his elbow while at his home — diving for a dropped cell phone of all things — the front office is looking as smart as ever with the Elliott selection.
Fans must have forgotten that McFadden had only played a full 16 game season one prior time in his NFL career. It should shock nobody that he is hurt again, and even more so it should shed some light on why the team was so confident in drafting Elliott to be their bell-cow. Zeke proved his ability in college to carry the load, and it has been established he has all the tools to be a complete back for the Cowboys at the next level.
"“In the physical yesterday it was determined that he has a break in his elbow,” Garrett told the team’s official site on Tuesday. “He actually had surgery on that this morning, and he’ll be out for at least a couple months.”"
The battle for the last roster spots at the running back position was going to be tough for McFadden prior to this injury. And now it may have sealed the envelope on his release this summer.
Fellow rookie running back Darius Jackson — whom was shocked being selected in the 6th round by the Cowboys after they had already landed Elliott — was a strong candidate to push Run DMC completely off the roster with his ability to play special teams. This is now going to be an even more interesting battle to watch over the summer, especially if McFadden doesn’t return for training camp.
Neither Elliott nor the rest of the Cowboys can look back now. They have to continue to push forward towards the ultimate goal and that is preparing for a successful season and hopefully a Super Bowl run. Maybe the young man from Alton, Illinois really was fated to wear The Star. Fans can only hope that is the case, because he is going to get his chance to be the star in Dallas!
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