The Dallas Cowboys have their latest backfield star under contract.
The team announced Wednesday that No. 4 overall pick Ezekiel Elliott has signed his four-year rookie deal with an option for the fifth season. The first four years are fully guaranteed at $24.9 million, per NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport, via a source involved.
Elliott joins Trent Richardson, Reggie Bush and current Cowboys teammate Darren McFadden as the only running backs selected in the draft's first five picks over the past decade.Â
Billed as the most complete back to enter the league over that span, Elliott is expected to make an immediate impact as a runner, receiver and pass protector.
"With all due respect to all the other running backs in Ohio State history," Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said in January, "my first-round draft pick, I'd take Zeke Elliott."
Meyer also raved about Elliott as the best player he's ever coached without the ball in his hand.
Armed with the ability to run power as well as zone concepts, Elliott and the dominant Dallas offensive line should succeed in keeping defenses off kilter, converting third downs to burn the clock, shorten the game and help limit Tony Romo's exposure to potentially injurious hits.
With Elliott as the backfield focal point, the Cowboys will attempt to copy their 2014 blueprint, bulldozing their way to the NFC East crown.
