Should the Cowboys Break the Bank for Ezekiel Elliot?

July 20, 2019 nickchambers1 Cowboys Talk, NFL, The Talk 0

Image by Ron Jenkins / Associated Press

As we all know, Ezekiel Elliot is a young and elite running back in today’s NFL. With the recent news that Elliot has privately threatened a lockout if he is not bigtime paid, the Dallas Cowboys have a huge decision to make that will affect not just this season but many seasons down the road. The Cowboys have not just a decision to pay Elliot, but Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper also will want bigtime money in the future.

Currently, Ezekiel Elliot is still on his rookie contract which makes him the 10th highest-paid running back in the NFL.

Arguments For:

  • In my opinion, Ezekiel Elliot is by far the best “running” back in the NFL. 6 foot 225 pounds makes him extremely difficult to tackle in the open field.
  • It is pretty obvious that the Cowboys value Ezekiel Elliot more than Dak Prescott by leading in rushes and yards last season. Elliot is hands down top 3 at his position, while it is debatable if Prescott even cracks top 10 at quarterback.
  • Melvin Gordon wants a lot of money from the Chargers. In games where Gordon did not play last season, the Chargers were 4-0 and averaged 27 points per game last season. Elliot is such a dynamic threat running and receiving the football that if the Cowboys were to trade or lose him they might not even make the playoffs.
  • He has basically been injury-free for his career (knock on wood). The only games he has missed are via from his suspensions or late-season rest in prep for the playoffs.
  • He can do everything at the running back position: receive, block, and carry. Amari Cooper, Dak Prescott, and the rest of the Dallas Cowboys WILL NOT be the same without Ezekiel Elliot.

Arguments Against:

  • Injuries, injuries, injuries. Running backs are generally more capable of getting hurt. Just look at running backs that have gotten PAID but then get hurt- Todd Gurley, David Johnson, Melvin Gordon, and Devonta Freeman.
  • There are other good running backs who are undervalued that you can get for decent value or late in the draft- Chris Carson, Phillip Lindsey, and James Connor. Kareem Hunt and Alvin Kamara were 3rd picks in the 2017 draft.
  • His off the field issues could be a little concerning. I would suggest that Elliot and his team hire a bodyguard for him.
  • https://twitter.com/Marcus_Mosher/status/1151333534826684421

My position:

  • The Dallas Cowboys need to pay Ezekiel Elliot because he is so young and so gifted/talented at his position. His game changes the way how the Cowboys play out on the field each week. When he is rolling, the Cowboys usually win. The Cowboys have a legitimate shot to win the Super Bowl this coming season and that is what the expectation should be.

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