Cowboys Take Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott With No. 4 Overall Pick

Statement from the Cowboys website.

Ezekiel Elliott

For the first time in eight years, the Cowboys have drafted a running back in the first round.

But not just any back, but the best one in this year’s NFL Draft, taking Ohio State’s Ezekiel Elliott with the No. 4 overall pick.

It’s the highest the Cowboys have drafted in 25 years when they took Russell Maryland No. 1 overall in 1991 and only the third time the team has picked in the Top 5 since Jerry Jones bought the team in 1989.

Elliott is considered a three-down back, for his tough, hard-nosed running style, coupled with his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and pick up blocks on the blitz.

At Ohio State, Elliott was a touchdown-machine for the Buckeyes, scoring 43 rushing touchdowns, including 23 this past season, along with one receiving score. The All-American and Big Ten running back of the year, became the only player in school history to record three runs of at least 80 yards in his career.

Elliott likely jumps right to the top of the depth chart at running back, although the Cowboys will pair him veterans Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden, who finished fifth in the NFL in rushing last year with 1,089 yards. The Cowboys also have Lance Dunbar, who is returning from a knee injury that could keep him out for the start of the season.