NFL Mock Draft 2016: Post-Scouting Combine edition

10. <p>Elliott is <em>easily</em> the best running back in this draft class, and he reinforced that belief with a lights-out performance at the NFL Combine. The former Ohio State standout raced to a 4.47 40-yard dash and executed quite well in various drills throughout the week, and for a player that simply needed to maintain his status rather than make an imprint, it was a strong showing from Elliott.</p> <p>Taking a running back, no matter how talented, in the first round is often a misguided idea, but at the same time, it would almost be surprising if Elliott fell this far. If he does, though, the Houston Texans look like a team that would be doing cartwheels to snatch him up and improve their offense in an instant.</p> <p>The Texans <em>desperately</em> need a quarterback to build around, but that player simply isn’t available here, and Houston can appease its fan base by taking an impact runner instead. Elliott might not be on the Todd Gurley level when comparing him to the best running back in the 2015 class, but he looks like a Pro Bowl-level talent, and with Arian Foster nearing the end of his career, the cupboard is bare for the Texans in the backfield.</p> <p>Offense should be the focus for Houston, and Elliott makes a big splash while simultaneously improving a specific area. It makes sense, even if first-round running backs are almost always a mistake.</p>. RB. Ohio State. Ezekiel Elliott. 22. player