Ezekiel Elliott NFL Draft Projection: Ohio State RB a top 15 pick?
Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott is entering the NFL Draft, so where should he expect to hear his name called?
After Ohio State lost their perfect season and their chance to repeat as national champions running back Ezekiel Elliott said. “There’s no chance of me coming back next year. I have to make the most of my time left. I just want to thank Buckeye Nation for making this place so special and I’m sorry about tonight.”
It’s not surprising that the junior back and nation’s third leading rusher entering Saturday’s game against Michigan State would leave school early for the NFL Draft, but the timing and tone of the announcement raised a few eyebrows.
Elliott criticizes his usage and the play calling from Ohio State coaches after Ohio State lost 17-14 to Michigan State, which isn’t exactly a good look, even if his comments were accurate, it just ideal to air your grievances in the public. But I’ll write it off to a young man who was frustrated and emotional after a heartbreaking loss. So it’s really not a big deal and according to Bruce Feldman of Fox Sports, one NFL scout said the comments wouldn’t be held against him in the draft process.
So where will Elliott be drafted?
ESPN’s Todd McShay ranks Elliott as the No. 1 running back prospect and CBS Sports does as well. He likely won’t be drafted as high as Todd Gurley who went No. 10 to the St. Louis Rams, but he should be a first round pick and there’s a chance he could go as high as the No. 15 spot that Melvin Gordon was taken last year.
“He’s not as physical finishing runs as (former OSU RB) Carlos Hyde, but he’s got better top-end speed,” the scout told FOX Sports. “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.”
The 6-0, 225-pound Elliott ran for 1,878 yards en route to winning the MVP in the College Football Playoff National Championship Game last year and entered the Michigan State game with 15 straight 100 yard games, which was snapped vs. Michigan State, and 1,425 yards, trailing only Leonard Fournette and Derrick Henry.
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Elliott has great vision, power, speed that will allow him to make an immediate impact as an NFL rookie, but what makes him such a complete prospect is his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield and he’s an exceptional blocker.