Ezekiel Elliot RB, Ohio St.

6’0″
225 Pounds
10 1/4″– Hands
32.5″– Vertical
118″– Broad
4.47- 40 Time

NFL Comparison: Edgerrin James, Frank Gore, LaDainian Tomlinson

Just look at the comparisons. We’re talking about a special player here.

Historically, generational running back prospects such as Adrian Peterson, Toddy Gurley, and soon to be Leonard Fournette (class of ’17) break the 10 point rookie running back grading scale- registering scores of 12 and 13.

This year, on that same 10 point scale, Ezekiel Elliot sores a 9-plus which is an excellent rating – good enough to make him the clear-cut No.1 RB prospect in the 2016 draft class. He also satisfies everything we ever learned from the Trent Richardson debacle; the last non-generational talent at the running back position rated as a high first round prospect.

Elliot has the vision, feet, lateral agility, and work ethic that Richardson never had. He’s also much better in the passing game. And, even though their 40 times were near identical, Elliot has the better long-speed.

Expect the Cowboys, Browns, Giants, Bears, Dolphins, and Raiders all to be in play for the Ohio State superstar when the 2016 NFL Draft commences Thursday night. He almost certainly won’t make it out of the first half of the first round, and may not get out of the top 10. If things go accordingly, Elliot will be the #1 pick in upcoming Dynasty Rookie Drafts.

QUOTES FROM THE COMBINE

If a team asked you to draw up your favorite play what would it be?

My favorite run play from last year would be just “A gap power.”

What does that say about your running style?

I think it shows my physicality and how much I like to get in between tackles and pound the ball.

Running backs have been devalued in the NFL Draft, how do you feel about that. How important is it for you to be a first-round pick?

I think the guys last year that were first-round picks like Todd Gurley, they set a standard for the younger generation coming up. I feel we’re going to bring it back.

Who’s going to run the fastest 40 of the Buckeyes here? Can you beat ’em all?

That’s tough. I don’t know who’s going to run the fastest 40. I’d probably have to go with Braxton (Miller).

What sets you apart?

I think the thing that sets me apart is my versatility. I’m a guy that can play three downs. You don’t have to take me off the field. I value blocking more than anything. I obviously love to run the ball and I think I have great hands out of the backfield.

Who’s the RB that you looked up to growing up and would like to emulate?

Marshall Faulk was my guy growing up and that’s who I always emulated my game after. He’s been a mentor to me. We have the same agent. He’s been a big help to me in this process.

What has he helped you with?

Just kind of staying on pace. He helped me get on the board and get ready for these interviews.

Your blocking, when did you first take that on with enthusiasm. How did you develop that?

When I first started playing football I was a fullback. My first job was to block. When I first got to Ohio State I realized I wasn’t going to be the biggest or fastest guy, I was only 17 playing with a bunch of 22- and 21-year old guys, so I was trying to find something that would set me apart. And that day I realized it was just effort. Not everyone is willing to go out there and play with a lot of effort. And blocking is another thing that running backs aren’t really willing to do. That’s a part of my game. I really made it important to me to become very good at.

Blocking standpoint, what is your mental progression with recognizing blitz pickup. Not the effort part?

That definitely was probably my biggest challenge going into college, learning the blitz pickup. In high school all you do is slide protections. Once you get to college you’ve got these different man protections you have to know, you have to read the safeties, when are you going to get pressure? That was tough. But after freshman year getting all those reps, I think I mastered it pretty good by my sophomore season.

Who put you at fullback?

I was 7. When you’re 7 you run a wishbone, so fullback is a fullback, but he’s not really a true I fullback. I was one of the bigger guys who could run, so he played me at fullback. That was just my first year of football. After that I got moved to halfback.

Not a lot of first-round running backs, why are you worthy?

I think I’m a guy who’s going to work and work hard from day one and I think I’m a guy who brings a lot of versatility to the position. I’m a guy who can play all three downs and I think excel in all areas of the game.

Former OSU RB coach Stan Drayton is now with the Bears. How do you feel about him?

Stan Drayton, that’s my guy. He was hard on me since I got on campus. He’s really the biggest reason why I’m here today, why I’m the back I am today. He made sure when I learned this position that I learned it thoroughly, that I learned not just what I do but what the guys around me do. That made me understand the game so much better. He taught me how to anticipate instead just off of reactions off of instinct. That made me play faster and made me into a great player.

Like to play for Bears?

You know, if I went to Chicago and played for Stan Drayton, I know he would be a guy who would stay on my case, he would never let me get content. He’d always push me. That’s what he was for me at Ohio State. It would be nice to reunite with him.

He is running the 40. Do you have a target time?

4.4, 4.5 area.

NFL crop top policy

I don’t think the NFL is open to crop tops. (laughter)

At OSU you faced adversity yet you still won title, did this prepare you for the NFL scrutiny?

I think it did. I think it’s proof to our training from Ohio State. When you go to a place like Ohio State with all that competition, it prepares you for the next level.

You played for Gus Frerotte at John Burroughs School in St. Louis. How did that make you a better player?

He was a great coach for me in high school. High school is kind of where I developed my pass-catching skills. He was a brilliant mastermind as an offensive coordinator/head coach. He used me in a lot of ways to get me in open space to get the ball. In high school is where I developed my receiving skills. He used me a lot in the slot. He used me a lot at wideout receiver.

What do you say to experts who say you can find a RB after the first round?

I just kind of focus on what I can control. That’s something I don’t really focus on. All I can control is how I go out tomorrow and compete.

What will you tell teams about your comments after the Michigan State game?

I told them I’ve grown up a lot since then. That was a great learning moment for me. I was emotional, but I think what teams want is a competitor and that’s what I am and that’s where it all came from.

How much would you prefer to be in a situation like Todd Gurley was with the Rams where he was the guy his first year, as opposed to sitting more?

Honestly that’s something I can’t really control. All I’m going to do is go out tomorrow, compete and give teams a reason to pick me.

If a team asked you to draw up your favorite play what would it be?

My favorite run play from last year would be just “A gap power.”

What does that saw about your running style?

I think it shows my physicality and how much I like to get in between tackles and pound the ball.