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Dallas Cowboys: Giants reporter picks Ezekiel Elliott for MVP

By Steven Mullenax

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys kneels before taking on the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 24: Ezekiel Elliott #21 of the Dallas Cowboys kneels before taking on the Seattle Seahawks at AT&T Stadium on December 24, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /
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A reporter for a divisional rival has chosen Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott as the NFC East’s likely MVP … and possibly for the entire league.

Entering his third season in the NFL, Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott is projected to have a monster year. And why not?

Since being selected fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State, Elliott has been one of the league’s best players. During his rookie season, Zeke led the NFL with 1,631 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns.

Last season, a six-game suspension for suspected domestic violence derailed what would have likely been his second-straight year as the league’s top rusher. Playing in only 10 games, Elliott still rushed for 983 yards and seven scores.

Elliott led the NFL in yards per game in 2017 with an average of 98.3 yards per contest. The next closest running back was the Los Angeles Rams Todd Gurley II, who averaged 87.0 rushing yards per game.

This offseason, the Cowboys actually improved their offensive line in front of Elliott. They added Texas offensive tackle Connor Williams in the second round of the draft. Williams, who was touted as a possible day one selection, is expected to start a left guard in Dallas.

The talented rookie will join actual first round picks in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick, and right guard Zack Martin. Along with right tackle La’el Collins, who would have probably been a first-round selection in 2015, these five lineman form the scariest positional group in the entire NFL.

Combine this uber-talented offensive line with Elliott running behind him, and even the Cowboys divisional rivals have to admit this is a powerful one-two punch that is likely to elevate Zeke to MVP status this upcoming season.

"“If Elliott can stay out of trouble and on the field and run behind that Cowboys offensive line for a full 16 games, he’ll make a run at 2,000 yards. He’s that good,” wrote Jordan Raanan, the New York Giants reporter for ESPN.com. “Dallas’ offensive line is that good, especially if second-round pick Connor Williams slides in seamlessly at left guard. Elliott, with his 27 touches per game, will be in line not only for the division’s MVP, but for the NFL’s MVP.”"

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott ended up winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors in 2016. But many felt Ezekiel Elliott was the driving force behind the Cowboys’ success that season and deserved the award over Prescott. If Zeke is able to eclipse the 2,000-yard mark on the ground this upcoming season, he’d likely be the favorite to win the league MVP award.

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