NFC East RB rankings: How does NY Giants’ Saquon Barkley stack up?
1) Ezekiel Elliott – Dallas Cowboys
Elliott is now three years removed from winning the NFL rushing crown, and plays behind one of the most dominant offensive lines in the league, which helps lift him above the rest of the competition in the division.
Last season, Elliott 2.82 yards after contact last season, and produced 22 explosive runs, according to Pro Football Focus, underscoring the fact that he is a big-play threat every time he touches the ball.
Elliott missed one game last season due to injury, and was forced to play much of the 2020 campaign without Dak Prescott alongside him in the Cowboys backfield.
Presuming Prescott is fully healthy, and the Cowboys’ line holds up, don’t be surprised if Elliott makes a run at 1,500 rushing yards — or more — in a 17-game season and reemerges as the focal point of Dallas’ offense.
Matt Lombardo is FanSided’s National NFL Insider and writes Between The Hash Marks each Wednesday. Email Matt: Matt.Lombardo@FanSided.com