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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) carries the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (45) defends during the second half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) carries the ball as Notre Dame Fighting Irish defensive lineman Romeo Okwara (45) defends during the second half in the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports /

MY TAKE

STRENGTHS

Elliott is a do-it-all type of running back that never has to come off the field, no matter the situation. He catches the ball very well out of the back field and disagree with Brugleer, he’s very good in pass protection. As a matter fact, as he was often asked to do in his Spread offense for his quarterback, he’s a good run-blocker too.

I agree with the other two scouts as far as his vision, burst and power going into the line of scrimmage. But while they acknowledge his ability to make defenders miss, they underestimate it and his speed to pull away from defenders on long runs. Elliott can fit any scheme from zone-stretch to power-counter-gap so any team can benefit from picking him.

WEAKNESSES

I don’t see any weaknesses in what Elliott does so the best way to put it in his case is questions. Elliott was a workhorse at Ohio State so one has to wonder if his body has been beaten up. That is always the biggest concern about great college running backs so I agree with Zierlien’s assessment as a concern.

What makes Elliott who he is his passion and how competitive he is and you don’t want to see that go away. I actually that he was right about not getting the ball enough against Michigan but going to the media isn’t the way to do that. So he’ll have to learn to harness all that passion and desire and make it fit into the franchise that picks him.

Next: BOTTOM LINE

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