NFL Draft Rumors: Ezekiel Elliott says Chicago Bears love him
By John Buhler
The Chicago Bears have the No. 11 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft Thursday night and have expressed immense interest in Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.
Ohio State Buckeyes star running back Ezekiel Elliott is largely expected to be the first running back off the board in the 2016 NFL Draft beginning on Thursday night.
While some mock drafts have Elliott going as high as No. 4 to the Dallas Cowboys, Elliott said on The Dan Patrick Show on Tuesday that he thinks he is going to the Chicago Bears at No. 11 Thursday night.
When Patrick asked, “Tell me the team you think is in love with you,” Elliott responded fairly candidly, “I think the Chicago Bears.”
While the running back position has been devalued exponentially over the last decade, as general managers believe that they can find great talent at that position outside of the first round, Elliott shouldn’t fall out of the first round on Thursday night for any reason.
Though many have tabbed him possibly going to Dallas at No. 4, the Cowboys’ need for a premier tailback isn’t as pressing as what the Bears currently have on their 2016 NFL roster. Veteran Bears running back Matt Forte signed with the NFC North rival Green Bay Packers this March and the best back Bears head coach John Fox has at his disposal is former Michigan State standout, Jeremy Langford.
Chicago probably won’t make a ton of noise in 2016, but should they have an improved offense even without former offensive coordinator Adam Gase, the new Miami Dolphins head coach, the Bears could do better than many expect in 2016.
The Bears already have a franchise quarterback in Jay Cutler, a premier wideout in Alshon Jeffery, and another young stud at tailback in Langford. Chicago will also get the added bonus of No. 7 overall pick last year in wide receiver Kevin White who missed all of 2015 because of injury. It wouldn’t be all that crazy to see the Bears go with Elliott at No. 11 on Thursday night. It makes more sense than to Dallas at No. 4.
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