An NFC area scout thinks Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott is a safe pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, according to Daniel Jeremiah and Lance Zierlein of College Football 24/7.
Elliott has already stated that he has played his last game at Ohio Stadium, and many question him after his post-game rant about play calls following the Buckeyes loss to Michigan State. The Buckeyes star running back wrote and apology and stated that he was caught up in emotions following a tough loss to the Spartans.
Some NFL scouts have disagreed about Elliot's rant, as one scout believes that it was selfish to do so, and another scout believes that it showed his competitive nature, according to Jeremiah and Zierlein. Elliott has had a dominant junior year with the Buckeyes and rushed for 1,672 yards and 19 touchdowns. Ohio State's star running back has rushed over a 100 yards in every game expect the loss to Michigan State.
Elliott's post game comments reportedly will not affect his draft stock, as NFL scouts view him as a late first-round pick, according to Chase Goodbread of College Football 24/7. "He's not as physical finishing runs as Carlos Hyde, but he's got better top-end speed," a NFL scout said, via College Football 24/7. "He's not Todd Gurley, but he's a complete back. I think he's the real deal and he'll probably be a late first-round pick."
Elliott is listed at 6-foot-1, 225 pounds and could be a force in the league if drafted by the right team. Teams like the Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts are teams that could be looking for a running back to draft, and if Elliott is on the board at the right spot, don't be surprised if any of the three take him. Elliott can be a lead running back for an NFL franchise and has been one of the most dominant backs in college football over the past two seasons.
