Adrian FedkiwThe Philadelphia Eagles need an identity on offense and if they can’t make a blockbuster trade to land a franchise quarterback, obtaining a monster bell-cow running back might be the next best thing.
Jason La Canfora reported in a recent CBS Sports article that the Eagles are “in love” with Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott and he’ll be the pick at No. 8 if they stay there.
Elliott is reportedly in Philadelphia Wednesday for a pre-draft visit at the NovaCare complex. He is considered to be the best running back in the draft class and could be a top-10 pick, but is it worth taking him at No. 8? He ran for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns last season and has been connected to the Eagles since they traded DeMarco Murray to the Tennessee Titans last month.
Here’s the excerpt from La Canfora:
If the Eagles stay at No. 8, and especially if two quarterbacks are gone by then as widely expected, then I continue to hear running back Ezekiel Elliott is the pick. They are in love with him, they have done extensive work on him, they have parted with accomplished veteran running backs LeSean McCoy and DeMarco Murray the past two years, they need an identity on offense and they are going to be limited at the quarterback position no matter who wins the job. So a run game is imperative. This kid has a top-10 skill set and is plug-and-play and I don’t see him getting past Miami at No. 12. This very well could be the second straight year we see a back go in the first 10 picks. While I have been skeptical that the Eagles would actually move up, again, to land another quarterback, some other executives believe GM Howie Roseman is dead set on making a huge splash in this draft, which could well include drafting a passer very high. We shall see.
As for me, I’ve gradually hopped on board. I was on the other side of the ledger a few months ago and agreed with the “don’t take a running back in the top 10” crowd, but he’d be my second choice at No. 8 behind Florida cornerback Vernon Hargreaves III. I used to have Notre Dame’s Ronnie Stanley ahead of him but I’ve soured on the tackle since a lackluster combine and watching more tape.
Like La Canfora stated, Philadelphia has done extensive work on him and that would mean it’s looked into his drug habit rumors.
Elliott fits what the Eagles are going to want to do to a tee.
The Birds want to be a slow and conservative power attack which is going to churn a lot of clock and rely on their defense to win games. The Kansas City Chiefs ran the second fewest plays per game (59.3) last season when current head coach Doug Pederson was the offensive coordinator under Reid and had the sixth highest run/pass ratio at 46 percent.
Elliott has the prototypical size and athleticism for a workhorse running back to go with the balance, vision and patience to attack in between the tackles. He doesn’t hesitate and powerfully finishes his runs with natural forward lean to pick up every inch he can. When the Eagles go on one of those methodical 12, 13, 14-play drives against a fatigued defense, who’s going to stop Elliott near the goal line?
If the Eagles can’t land their quarterback, Elliott is a back who can carry the offense.
He’s an exception to the rule.