Recent NFL Draft rumors have emerged that Dallas Cowboys’ head coach Jason Garrett is pushing for the team to select Ezekiel Elliott with the fourth-overall pick.
The Dallas Cowboys have been linked to Elliott for weeks now, but until just recently it was thought that owner Jerry Jones was the one behind the team’s interest in Elliott. The Cowboys could certainly use one of the talented defensive players that will available to them in either Joey Bosa or Jalen Ramsey, but Jason Garrett wanting Elliott could lead to the running back going to Dallas.
The feeling around the league is Cowboys will select Elliott. The HC is pushing hard for that pick
— Greg Gabriel (@ggabefootball) April 28, 2016
When Dallas was successful in the 2014 season, they had an elite running game with DeMarco Murray and one of the best offensive lines in football. Last season, injuries were certainly a major reason why the Cowboys struggled, as it was impossible for them to overcome missing Tony Romo and Dez Bryant for large chunks of the season. Losing your starting quarterback is going to make for a long season, but the Cowboys also didn’t have that same running game in 2015 without Murray.
This offseason, the Cowboys were able to sign Alfred Morris to compliment Darren McFadden in the backfield after McFadden had a solid 2015 campaign. With two good running backs already on the roster, using the fourth pick on Elliott seems like a poor move to make.
Elliott is without a doubt a talented player, but the real need for the Cowboys is on the defensive side of the ball, not adding a third running back into the mix. If Garrett is the one pushing for Elliott, he may believe that the best defense for the Cowboys is to have an elite running game once again like they did in 2014.
One thing that is for sure is the Cowboys are unpredictable when it comes to the draft. Garrett’s reported interest in Elliott makes little sense with the Cowboys’ other more pressing needs in terms of stopping other teams.
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