Ezekiel Elliott among Hall of Fame Company as he turned 26

In Ezekiel Elliott’s five seasons in the NFL, he’s been one of the most productive backs in the league. Elliott’s continued to be a productive back despite missing games due to a suspension, dealing with COVID, or offensive line injuries.

In the early part of his career, he’s been as productive as some of the all-time great running backs in the NFL.

According to ESPN Stats and Information, Ezekiel Elliott ranks third all-time in scrimmage yards before the age of 26. Elliott collected more scrimmage yards than Hall of Famer Barry Sanders and behind only Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton.

ESPN Insights

@ESPNInsights

Ezekiel Elliott is celebrating his 26th birthday today.His 8,341 scrimmage yards are the 3rd most by a player before his 26th birthday in NFL history, trailing only Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton. pic.twitter.com/iIWOcUIFO7

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July 22, 2021

Given some better circumstances in 2020, it’s possible that Elliott would have passed Payton on this list, finishing just nine scrimmage yards shy of “Sweetness.”

Elliott heads into 2021 with a renewed energy after an offseason spent improving his agility and losing some weight.

In Jason Garrett’s offense, Ezekiel Elliott was asked to be a battering ram. Someone who could kill the defense three yards at a time. Cowboys’ Offensive Coordinator Kellen Moore is unleashing the pass-catching side of Elliott in his offense. After catching just 59 passes in his first two seasons, Elliott’s caught 189 passes.

Joe Trahan

@JoeTrahan

21 – from – 4.@EzekielElliott – having fun.#CowboysCamp2021 pic.twitter.com/KAuM9rBWH5

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July 24, 2021

As the Dallas Cowboys look to throw the ball more in Kellen Moore’s offense, this is how they should incorporate Elliott into the passing game. Simply asking him to be a check-down receiver doesn’t fully utilize his abilities as a pass-catcher. We’ve seen Elliott make plays down the field when he’s been called upon to run the wheel routes in the Cowboys’ offense. Deploying him to run routes up the seam will provide further opportunities to make plays and give Dak Prescott another weapon to target downfield in Moore’s 4-verts offense.

Ezekiel Elliott is primed for a bounceback season in 2021. If the Dallas Cowboys can improve even a little bit on defense, Elliott should get more opportunities to carry the ball to help seal games. With reasonable health along the offensive line, 2021 will make his 2020 season look like an aberration.

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3 Comments

VAM 4 years ago

Agree with Sam and Gary, EE DID NOT LOOK GOOD trying to catch the football last year. In fact he looked like he struggled in that capacity. One can make excuses about COV, and injuries, but he just did not play up to his first three year level. Year before last showed some decline of burst and long speed and that carried over to last year. Maybe he can rejuvenate himself? I certainly hope so. If he can, we can look forward to a superior offense. DP just has to put it on cruise control. That said, he was the best back in NFL those first 3 magnificent years. No debate there.
gary b 4 years ago

Not sure why Zeke was ever considered a natural pass catcher per se. Last year he looked like the opposite of that, often times botching simple screen passes and dump offs. No need to force feed him in the passing game. If anyone has been underutilized in that capacity it’s Pollard who is an ex-receiver. With all the weapons we have Zeke is best suited to stick to the running game as he appears to lack the explosiveness or wiggle in space to make plays. Now that could change somewhat if his newfound conditioning and weight loss makes a difference in quickness and speed.
Sam 4 years ago

Zeke has regressed as a pass catcher in my opinion. Not sure why, but too frequently, it simply does not look good. Maybe improved fitness will be helpful in this area, as he often looks like he is really laboring. I am a huge Zeke fan btw, but I prefer him in protection first and then only as a late release option. Dak might need him more back there this year also, I do expect Dak to have some limited escapability this year, no matter what anyone says.

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