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2016 NFL Mock Draft: Week 3 edition

By Dani Bostick

Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 30, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; A general view of the podium on stage before the 2015 NFL Draft at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 12, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Oregon Ducks in the 2015 CFP National Championship Game at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports /

21. player. 123. . RB. Ohio State. Ezekiel Elliott

DeMarco Murray is now with the Eagles, and his productivity is a very small fraction of what it was with his former team. The Cowboys have not replaced Murray, but their running-back-by-committee plan has panned out well so far.

Still, it would be nice for the Cowboys to have a reliable, productive back, especially since they have an offensive line that is adept at creating huge holes for big yardage.

Ohio State Buckeyes Ezekiel Elliott would be an asset to the Cowboys offense. Last season Elliott rushed for an incredible 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns en route to a victory in the national championship. Consider this mind-boggling statistic: Elliott avaraged 232 yards in the last three games of the season. Wow.

Elliott is NFL-ready, especially if the team that drafts him has an offensive line as effective as the Cowboys’. The Heismann contender is a beast on the field, unafraid of plowing through defenders and make big plays out of nothing.

Not only is Elliott powerful, he is fast. How fast? In high school he was a state champion in Missouri in four events. Elliott doesn’t rely on clever moves, his speed and power help him make huge, game-winning plays that leave defenders stunned, thinking “What the heck just happened there?”

Finally, Elliott has the potential to be a very effective blocker, but has not excelled in that role. Likewise, he should spend his final year at Ohio State polishing his receiving skills. Elite backs like Le’Veon Bell are a dual threat on the ground and through the air. Mix in effective blocking, and you have a complete running back.

Bottom line: With a bit of development Elliott could be the most exciting player in the draft. Even if he enters the NFL as-is, he is the perfect fit for the Dallas Cowboys and could have a successful, fulfilling career there.

I’d say “Watch and learn!” but mere mortals cannot learn to do what Elliott manages to do week after week:

Next: No. 22 Atlanta Falcons

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