Cowboys’ Elliott headlines non-quarterback rookies in NFL training camps
Ezekiel Elliott leaves the field to screams of “Zeeeeeke!” from autograph-seeking fans who haven’t even seen him carry the ball in a game yet for the Dallas Cowboys.
The fourth overall pick in this year’s draft opened his first training camp taking first-team snaps before a mild hamstring strain put him on the sidelines with Darren McFadden, who led the team in rushing last season but still could be replaced as the starter even after he returns from a broken right elbow.
If he’s healthy and not sidelined over a domestic violence allegation in Ohio, Elliott is likely to begin his career in a way that Cowboys Hall of Famers Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett didn’t: starting the opener as a rookie running back.
Even if he doesn’t start in his debut, the former Ohio State star is the future of the running game for a once-proud franchise now 20 years removed from its last Super Bowl. He’s high on a list of nonquarterbacks that were taken in the first two rounds and could play significant roles right away.
“I’m just doing what they’re asking me to do,” said Elliott, taken two spots after quarterbacks Jared Goff (Rams) and Carson Wentz (Eagles) went 1-2 in the draft. “At running back we’re down a couple bodies right now, but we got to come together and get in shape and lean on each other right now.”
Elliott waited a day to face the expected swarm of reporters while knowing the conversation would quickly turn to the case in Columbus, Ohio, where his girlfriend accused him of assaulting her about a week before camp opened. The 21-year-old Elliott has denied the claims.
A look at other picks that weren’t quarterbacks but could have significant impacts nonetheless:
ELI APPLE, NY GIANTS: The 10th selection was Elliott’s former teammate at Ohio State and is now an NFC East rival. He is rotating at cornerback with veterans Janoris Jenkins and Dominique-Rodgers Cromartie, and first-year coach Ben McAdoo isn’t hesitating to start rookies after former coach Tom Coughlin rarely did in 12 seasons. “Everything is happening really fast,” said Apple, one of three Buckeyes taken in the top 10. “The meetings are really long, but I am having fun with it.”
LAREMY TUNSIL, MIAMI: The 13th choice out of Mississippi became one of the biggest stories on draft
night when his stock fell after a video of him taking a bong hit in a gas mask circulated on social media. He’s making the transition from left tackle to left guard and might not start the opener.
RYAN KELLY, INDIANAPOLIS: The 18th selection out of Alabama is the first centre the Colts have taken in the opening round since Auburn’s Jackie Burkett in 1959, and Burkett never played the position. Indianapolis has used five starters at centre in four seasons with Andrew Luck, who has been hit more times (375) than any quarterback in that span. “I think playing centre, obviously I think you have to have a sense of leadership,” Kelly said. LAQUON TREADWELL, MINNESOTA: The 23rd pick from Mississippi made an impression by frequently catching extra passes after practice and as the first player to arrive on reporting day at camp. The receiver is still trying to regain his explosiveness from a lower left leg injury at Ole Miss in 2014, part of the reason he was available late in the first round. Treadwell still had 1,153 yards and 11 touchdowns coming off the devastating injury.
MYLES JACK, JACKSONVILLE: The former UCLA linebacker slipped to the 36th overall pick in the second round because of uncertainty about his right knee. He tore the meniscus on Sept. 23 and left school shortly thereafter to rehab in Phoenix. He missed off-season workouts because of NFL rules regarding college graduations, leaving him way behind at the June mini-camp, and still struggling to catch up when camp opened. Dealing with Florida’s sweltering summer heat and humidity has been as much of an issue as learning the playbook.