Getty Dallas Cowboys RB Ezekiel Elliott
Dallas Cowboys standout running back Ezekiel Elliott came in at 18th on NFL Network’s Top 100 players of 2019. The team caps off its eighth and final pick tonight as the 24-year-old is currently holding out for a better contract and dealing with a $20 million lawsuit.
Ezekiel Elliott — #18
Elliott has taken the league by storm as he is entering his fourth season in the NFL. He began his career with 15 rushing touchdowns in 2016. He has rushed for over 4,000 yards in three seasons. He will look to have a better season behind a healthy offensive line.
Offensive coordinator Kellen Moore will keep Elliott the centerpiece of the offense with Prescott and Cooper making plays on big conversions or in the red zone.
Elliott made a huge difference to his skillset in 2018 as a pass-catcher. He ended up being Prescott’s safety blanket for dump offs out of the backfield. He could really do some damage with the ball in his hands so the team often opts to get it to him.
He is reportedly in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico during his contract holdout and will be considering deals from there. It is also reported that he plans on training while spending time in the vacation hub.
He is looking to top the contract of Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley, the highest-paid running back in the NFL. Elliott is set to make $12 million over the next two years. He is currently under a rookie contract and is amid negotiations with the team.
It was also previously reported by TMZ Sports that he, the Cowboys, and Frisco Police covered up details of a car accident Elliott was involved in. It is alleged in the $20 million lawsuit that Elliott would not have been able to play in the Cowboys’ 2017 playoff game against the Green Bay Packers.
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Previous Cowboys’ Selections
Cornerback Byron Jones was the first one off the list at 97th, followed by linebacker Leighton Vander Esch at 74th, wide receiver Amari Cooper at 64th, middle linebacker Jaylon Smith at 61st, offensive guard Zack Martin at 59th, and tackle Tyron Smith at 52nd.
Unfortunetly for quarterback Dak Prescott was not listed in the NFL Top 100, although he is reportedly looking for a contract extension with the team.
The Dallas Cowboys have one of the most loaded teams in the NFL as evident by the list voted on by players. The team is so loaded that their quarterback wasn’t listed. It is a big year for the team to put it together. The addition of Cooper surely will pay dividends after a full season. There is clearly a difference in the offense as a result of Cooper on the outside. He was a tremendous help to Prescott in major situations during the team’s stretch-run last season.
NFL Network had been premiering a new episode each day with 10 players at a time. Tomorrow’s finale will feature Top 100 players, 10-1, starts at 9 p.m. ET.
READ NEXT: NFL Top 100 Players Features Cowboys’ Smith, Martin
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