Name: Ezekiel Elliott
Position: RB
College: Ohio State
Height/Weight: 6-0 / 225
Honors: An All-American in 2015, Elliott was the Big 10 Offensive Player of the Year in rushing for 1,821 yards with 23 touchdowns.
Key Stat: Not only is Elliott tied for first on Ohio State’s list of 200-yard rushing games with five, but he’s the only player in school history with three runs from scrimmage of at least 80 yards.
How He Helps the Cowboys: Elliott probably makes the biggest Day 1 impact of any player in this draft, other than possibly Laremy Tunsil, who would start right away at right tackle. But if the Cowboys were to take him at No. 4 overall, or even a few spots later in a potential trade-back, it screams he is ready to take over as the starter immediately, leapfrogging both Darren McFadden and Alfred Morris. He can get tough yards, he can be a home-run hitter, he catch the ball and he can block. A player like Elliott never needs to leave the field.
Scout’s Take: Able to catch the ball in his hands. Adjust. Explosive start-stop quickness. Can plant his foot and take off. Soft hands. Takes the ball and reads quickly. Can make the first man miss. Avoids tacklers. Is always looking for space. Physical lead blocker. Reads blocks well. Knows how to set them up then cut. Can catch the ball and turn up the field. Outstanding blitz pickup. Runs with balance. Can turn the corner and work up the sideline. Patience as a runner. Let's blocks develop and then attacks. Runs through arm tackles. Can run in and out of trouble. -- Bryan Broaddus