The running back position has become a devalued commodity over the past several seasons. With the career-span of a running back being as short as three years, teams prescribe to the notion that the risk to draft a first round running back outweighs the reward.
Ezekiel Elliott could have changed that mindset for some NFL teams. His 2016 campaign was eye-opening after being the fourth pick in the 2016 NFL draft. Elliott finished the season compiling over 1,600 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns. The totals earned him First-Team All-Pro status and his first trip to the NFL Pro Bowl.