PHL Anon
Ezekiel Elliott, Running back, Ohio State University
6’0″ 225 lbs.
Elliott was a monster during the 2015 despite being the focus of nearly every opponent due to the struggles of the Buckeyes’ passing game. Many soured on Elliott after he publicly questioned the Ohio State’s playcalling and told the media it was his last game in The Horseshoe. However, there were quotes like this from an NFL Scout:
Did you see him in tears before the game? That’s passion. I wish all of the players on our team had his passion and character. The talking heads who say he’s going to fall in the draft are simply living in the moment just like Elliott did. The next talented player who falls in the draft because of a ‘too honest’ moment after a game will be the first.”
Within the Ohio State program, he is known as the ultimate team guy, something that is obvious on the field and with the way his coaches and teammates respect him off the field.
Another scout had this to say:
Look, it was unacceptable. Those who watched that game know he was right. But you just can’t say what he did and call out the coaches. He had an immature moment and I know our coaches will have something to say about it. But this is a player who doesn’t have a track record of maturity issues or character problems. He comes from a supportive family. He hands the ball to the official after each score. I bet he’ll learn from this, apologize and be a better teammate because of it. And as long as he shows that moving forward, it’ll just be a small bump in the road that won’t slow him down. He’s better than the Wisconsin kid (Melvin Gordon) last year. We’d gladly take him.”
STRENGTHS: Elliott is extremely well-rounded as a runner with ideal size for the position along with coordinated footwork that is always in sync with his eyes. He runs with natural pad level and fantastic forward lean, using his balance, leg drive and relentless fight to move the chains and pick up every inch he can. Plays with a strong intensity for the game.
Elliott is at his best on counter run plays, stopping on a dime and transitioning his weight to shoot through holes and dart through the second level of the defense. He displays outstanding vision to quickly read blocks and rarely runs with hesitation, bouncing away from would-be tacklers without slowing down.
WEAKNESSES: Elliott needs to become more consistent as a receiver and needs refinement as a blocker, but it’s tough to find weaknesses in his run style, which is why he could projects as one of the top running backs and a likely first-round pick in the 2016 class.
OUTLOOK: Elite, three-down running back who has the ability to excel in every facet of the game. Elliott has rare combination of size, athleticism, pass-catching and blocking skills and his competitive nature is always bubbling on the surface. While he’s had to handle a heavy workload over the last two seasons, Elliot should still come out of the gates as one of the most productive young running backs in the league.
COMPARISON: Edgerrin James with a touch of Le’Veon Bell.
Todd McShay Had this to say:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vrl7H0_P5O4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6IyRfht4Xk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVNMRLAs-U0
Previously Profiled Players
Glenn Gronkowski (NOT in the first round)
That and he’s the best rb blocker pretty much ever.
It’s a no brainer.
Ezekiel Elliott might as well start looking for houses in the area; because in my humbled opinion, there is no way the Eagles pass on him at 8.