Few could believe the Dallas Cowboys failed to draft a running back last year, despite having no proven options in the backfield after the free-agent loss of DeMarco Murray.
It didn't exactly backfire, as the club had the NFL's No. 9 rushing offense thanks to the most physical offensive line in the game. But if the Cowboys are ready to put a premier rookie rusher behind that line, Ezekiel Elliott would gladly oblige. The former Ohio State Buckeyes star made that clear on Friday when he was asked for his ideal draft destination during an NFL Now interview from Super Bowl 50:
"The Dallas Cowboys (are my pick). I want to go play behind that great offensive line they have down in Dallas," Elliott said.
Elliott rushed for more than 1,800 yards in each of his last two seasons at OSU, and announced after the team's loss to Michigan State that he intended to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. He did just that, and is considered by NFL Media analysts Lance Zierlein and Daniel Jeremiah to be the top prospect at his position available in the draft.
He'll get a chance to catch the Cowboys' eye in about three weeks at the NFL Scouting Combine.
"We're trying to get down in the 4.3 range," Elliott said of his combine goal for the 40-yard dash. "We're working."
Elliott's not the only running back available in the draft who would like to get behind that offensive line. Alabama's Heisman Trophy winner, Derrick Henry, has taken the same position. And who wouldn't? With one of the game's top left tackles in Tyron Smith and two of the league's best young guards in Zack Martin and La'el Collins, the Dallas backfield is a destination job for backs, be they free agents or rookies.
The Cowboys hold the No. 4 overall pick in the draft, but quarterback figures to be a stronger consideration than running back at that point.
*Follow Chase Goodbread on Twitter **@ChaseGoodbread*.
