Ezekiel Elliott: Latest News, Rumors and Buzz Surrounding RB's Draft Stock

Darron Cummings/Associated Press

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is considered one of the top talents in this year's NFL draft, and many people expect him to be a first-round selection.

Continue for updates.

Ravens Reportedly Could Draft Elliott

Thursday, April 28

Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reported the Baltimore Ravens will "strongly consider [Elliott] if he's available," noting the team could be deciding between Elliott and Ole Miss tackle Laremy Tunsil.

Browns Reportedly Talk to Teams Interested in Elliott

Wednesday, April 27

Rapoport reported the Cleveland Browns "have been having discussions" with teams that would want to trade up to draft Elliott.

Elliott Linked to Eagles 

Monday, April 18

PhillyNews.com's Zach Berman noted that Howie Roseman, executive vice president of football operations for the Philadelphia Eagles, "said [that Elliott] is a complete back."

Jason La Canfora of CBSSports.com reported on April 13 that the Eagles "are in love" with Elliott:

If the Eagles stay at No. 8, and especially if two quarterbacks are gone by then as widely expected, then I continue to hear [Elliott] is the pick. They are in love with him, they have done extensive work on him, they have parted with accomplished veteran running backs LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray the past two years, they need an identity on offense and they are going to be limited at the quarterback position no matter who wins the job.

Elliott to Visit Cowboys 

Saturday, April 2

Rapoport reported Elliott meet with the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, noting Elliott previously worked out for the team in Columbus, Ohio.

Dolphins Reportedly Eye Elliott

Friday, March 18

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Elliott May Be Top-4 Selection at Draft

Tuesday, March 1

Louis Riddick of ESPN said on Twitter on Tuesday that he would be "shocked" if Elliott wasn't a top-four pick in this year's NFL draft.  

Riddick further supported his claim:

Charley Casserly of NFL.com doesn't think Elliott will be taken quite that high, instead projecting him as a pick in the 12-15 range in the first round:

Elliott Could Provide NFL Team with Complete Package

Elliott is a dynamic talent. His former head coach, Urban Meyer, certainly had high praise for the running back, per Will Brinson of CBSSports.com: “[Elliott] is the best player I’ve ever coached without the ball in his hand. Think about that for a minute.”

He's pretty darn good with the ball in his hands, too. Elliott rushed for 1,821 yards (his second straight year exceeding 1,800 rushing yards) and 23 touchdowns in 2015, adding 27 receptions for another 206 yards.

He certainly solidified his status as a first-round talent at the NFL Scouting Combine, running a 4.47-second 40-yard dash and posting a 32.5-inch vertical, per NFL.com. 

It's pretty clear Elliott is the complete package at running back and the top player at the position in this year's draft, despite Derrick Henry's excellent showing at the combine. While teams have shied away from drafting running backs high in the first round in recent years, Elliott has the ability to become the focal point of an offense.

He's certainly an instant starter in the NFL, and his skill set was compared to former superstar Edgerrin James by Lance Zierlein of NFL.com. The comparison may be apt on a number of levels—James was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1999 NFL draft.

 

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