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2016 NFL Draft Scouts’ Take: Ezekiel Elliott

By Carl Cockerham

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

After going a couple of years without a 1st-round pick in the Draft, the running back position is coming back. The formula of run-the-ball-and-play-good defense took the Seattle Seahawks to Super Bowls in 2013 and 2014. The Dallas Cowboys looked to be onto something in 2014 as well with Demarco Murray leading the charge.

And in 2015, there were two highly touted running backs coming out in Todd Gurley of Georgia and Melvin Gordon of Wisconsin. Both of them would be selected on the first round as Gurley went in the top 10 despite coming off of a torn ACL heading into the 2015 NFL Draft.

And boy did he show just why the Los Angeles Rams were willing to take a chance on him. Here in 2016, another potential running back appears to be on the way in Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott. No, he didn’t win the Heisman Trophy like fellow running back prospect Derrick Henry, who may or may not go in the first round.

But if there’s a running back in the 2016 NFL Draft you can build around, Elliott is that guy. He appears to have all the traits the scouts are looking for in an NFL running back and then some. Turn the page for my scouting report as well as two others from the NFL Draft scouting media.

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