Ezekiel Elliot, RB-Ohio State
Let’s start off with a bang, shall we?
Even after an impressive start and end to the 2015 season, don’t be surprised if free-agent RB Chris Ivory gets a farewell notice from the Jets very soon. It’s not that he didn’t earn his return; it’s because running backs are easily replaceable. So, that leaves Gang Green shallow in the backfield. A great argument can be made that a first-rounder should not be spent on a RB. Well, an even better argument can be made that Elliott is the man for the job.
Jets GM Mike Maccagnan should select Ezekiel Elliott come Apr. 28. At 20-years old, Elliott has barely even begun to get his legs under him, and yet, he’s as shifty and explosive as they come. In 2014, he slashed and dashed for more than 1,878 yards and 18 touchdowns, all the while averaging 6.9 yards/carry on his way to leading OSU to a National Championship.
As if he couldn’t get any better, Elliott followed his breakout performance with 1,823 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2015. He even added 200 yards receiving in both his Sophomore and Junior seasons.
Elliott has a combination of vision, speed and athleticism that is second to none.
The Jets haven’t had an elite, durable running back since…well…since, Hall-of-Famer Curtis Martin carried the load from 1998-2006. That’s quiet a long time. And, while they had incredible rushing attacks under Rex Ryan in previous years, they still lacked the one true bolt of lightning who can strike at any second.
