This season, running back Ezekiel Elliott will suit up for a team other than the Dallas Cowboys for the first time in his NFL career.
Elliott, the No. 4 pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, spent the first seven seasons of his career in Dallas and had generally been one of the league’s best backs in that time. The former Ohio State running back made three Pro Bowl appearances and led the league in rushing twice. Even though his best seasons came earlier in his career, Elliott still maintained a respectable level of productivity throughout his entire time with the Cowboys.
Despite that, the Cowboys released Elliott in March after seven seasons. After months as a free agent, Elliott finally landed a new deal when he signed a one-year deal with the New England Patriots on Monday.
Elliott hopes to bring his past production to his new team, but many believe that won’t be the case. “Good Morning Football’s” Kyle Brandt went as far as to say that Elliott’s best days are long behind him.
“You turn on the Cowboys games and there hasn’t been a lot,” Brandt said. “His yards per carry is very low. There just hasn’t been a lot of juice … I don’t think this is going to light up the sky in New England. I’m not reordering my playoff predictions because they got Ezekiel Elliott in 2023.
Even with these harsh comments, Brandt isn’t all the way out on Elliott just yet. He added that Elliott is still very effective in short-yardage situations, as well as in pass-protection.
Additionally, Elliott could look to another veteran running back who came to New England and revived their career. In 2004, Corey Dillon was coming off the worst season of his seven-year tenure with the Cincinnati Bengals when he signed with the Patriots. However, Dillon rebounded in a huge way by rushing for 1,635 yards and 12 touchdowns while helping the Patriots win their second-straight Super Bowl.
Last season, Elliott set career-lows 876 rushing yards and 3.8 yards per carry, but he did score 12 touchdowns. While his production may have waned over the years, perhaps a change of scenery could help him get back on track. … with Cowboys Nation surely pulling for Zeke to show some of that old “juice” – except in Week 4, when the Patriots play at Dallas.
You can find Jonathan Alfano on Twitter @JonAlfano_News
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