Where should Ezekiel Elliott rank among the NFL’s best running backs?
We know Ezekiel Elliott is a good running back, but just how good is he?
As sports fans, we are constantly obsessed with ranking everything possible. We especially love ranking our favorite players or players on our favorite team. Let’s take a look at Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott.
ESPN recently released their top 10 best running backs in the NFL voted by 50 NFL executives, players, and coaches. Let’s look at a good range where Zeke should rank among the NFL’s best.
ESPN Rankings
Let’s first take a quick look at how things panned out with the votes in the ESPN rankings. They released the rankings on July ninth and stirred some interesting reactions.
The top running back selected was New York Giants running back Saquon Barkley. He has back to back 1,000+ rushing yard seasons while leading the league in total yards from scrimmage in 2018. He runs behind a good offensive line, and has one Pro Bowl and was the 2018 offensive rookie of the year.
At number two, Carolina Panthers running back Christian McCaffrey has put on a show. Despite an average rookie season, he was the best dual-threat running back in 2019. Running behind an under average offensive line, he finished last season with 1,000+ rushing and receiving yards and All-Pro honors.
Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott was ranked third after another 1,000+ rushing yard season. In four seasons he is a three-time Pro Bowler and one-time first-team All-Pro. He also led the league in rushing twice while running behind a great offensive line.
Another dual-threat running back in Alvin Kamara is ranked as the fourth-best in the NFL. While he never reached 1,000+ rushing yards in one season, having 2,000+ yards rushing and receiving in three years is great. He has been running behind a great offensive line and is a three-time Pro Bowler.
Rounding out the top five is the power back, Derrick Henry. Although he spent his first two seasons as a backup, his last two have been great. A good offensive line helped him get back to back 1,000+ rushing yards and 12+ rushing touchdowns, and lead the NFL in rushing yards in 2019.
The often-injured Dalvin Cook comes in at number six after posting 1,135 rushing yards and 519 receiving yards. He has been running behind an under average offensive line, unlike Nick Chubb who placed seventh. His great offensive line helped him average 5.0+ yards per rush in both his seasons.
At eight is a name not often mentioned in Joe Mixon and his back to back 1,000+ rushing yard seasons. He never made one Pro Bowl, possibly due to a now depleted offensive line, something rookie sensation Josh Jacobs and number nine doesn’t have to worry about.
Rounding out the top-ten is a player that many considered the best at one point in Le’Veon Bell. He is coming off his worst season statistically but is still very effective as a runner, receiver, and blocker.