Ezekiel Elliott, Cowboys Agree to Contract: Latest Details, Comments, Reaction

In terms of pure potential, former Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is on the short list of possible superstars from the 2016 NFL draft class. The Dallas Cowboys paid him for that talent Wednesday, announcing the deal and providing a photo of the signing:

Todd Archer of ESPN.com reported Elliott's deal is worth $24.9 million, with a $16.3 million signing bonus. It may seem like plenty of money for a running back who has yet to prove himself at the NFL level, but he demonstrated his overwhelming ability in the collegiate game.

Elliott is the 2015 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year and ran for more than 1,800 yards in each of the last two seasons. He also has a nose for the end zone, with 41 combined touchdowns in 2014 and 2015, which will prove critical for Dallas when it enters the red zone in 2016.

The Cowboys are one of the most notable NFL franchises and consistently play under the spotlight, which will not be a problem for Elliott.

Some of his most memorable performances at Ohio State came in the biggest games. He ran all over Alabama's vaunted defense for 230 yards and two touchdowns before gashing Oregon for 246 yards and four scores on the ground in the national championship during the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff title run in the 2014 season.

There is little Elliott cannot do on the field. He has solid speed (4.47-second 40-yard dash), the physicality to plow through defenders at the point of contact and impressive vision that helps him find holes and burst through them.

The Cowboys will also be paying him for his pass-blocking skills, considering Pro Football Focus noted the former Buckeye allowed a single quarterback pressure during 102 pass-blocking snaps in 2015. That type of versatility will help Elliott stay on the field all three downs and establish himself as a physical presence at the NFL level.

Dallas is paying Elliott to join a crowded running back stable that includes Darren McFadden and the newly signed Alfred Morris. McFadden tallied 1,089 yards on the ground last season, while Morris topped 1,000 rushing yards in each of his first three seasons with Washington before falling to 751 in 2015.

While he will likely split carries during his rookie campaign, Elliott is in an ideal situation to earn his rookie contract because he will run behind a dominant offensive line.

McFadden ran for more yards in 2015 behind the Dallas line than he did in the 2014 and 2013 seasons combined with the Oakland Raiders (913). What's more, DeMarco Murray notched 1,845 rushing yards in 2014 with Dallas compared to a mere 702 in 2015 for the Philadelphia Eagles.

Football Outsiders ranked the Cowboys offensive line as the sixth-best run-blocking unit in the league last year and the NFL's best in 2014.

Sam Monson of Pro Football Focus said "it's almost inevitable" when talking about Elliott's Rookie of the Year chances behind the Cowboys' offensive front.

Monson also pointed to the Ohio State product's ability to pick up yards after contact and remain on the field with his pass-blocking prowess as reasons for excitement, but the fact the Dallas line helped McFadden reach 1,000 yards without a healthy Tony Romo forcing defenders out of the box jumps out. Monson said McFadden finished with a negative PFF grade and still produced, so Elliott should put up head-turning numbers with even an average-grade performance.

If he does that, the Cowboys should improve on their 4-12 finish from 2015.