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Oakland Raiders: Potential running back draft targets

By Austin Gayle

Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott celebrates with the trophy following the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott celebrates with the trophy following the game against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs into the end zone for a second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 1, 2016; Glendale, AZ, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Ezekiel Elliott (15) runs into the end zone for a second half against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish during the 2016 Fiesta Bowl at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Buckeyes defeated the Fighting Irish 44-28. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports /

Ezekiel Elliot, Ohio State

Yes, drafting a running back in the first round isn’t necessarily what everyone wants to see Oakland do on Day 1, but Ezekiel Elliot’s talent level would likely force GM Reggie McKenzie to pull the trigger on the Ohio State product if he did fall to them at No. 14.

ProFootballFocus.com Senior Writer Sam Monson believes that Elliot draws comparisons to some of the best running backs to enter the NFL; including Minnesota Vikings back Adrian Peterson.

https://twitter.com/PFF_Sam/status/707320607092903940

At 6’0”, 225 pounds, Elliot is the definition of a complete back. With proven capability to run the football both in between the tackles and outside along the perimeter, Elliot’s ability to catch the football out of the backfield and remain effective in pass protection establishes him as a three-down running back prospect.

In his final season with the Buckeyes, Elliot carried the ball 289 times for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns, while also adding on 27 receptions for 206 yards.

In Oakland, Elliot could work through some of the growing pains that come with the transition to the NFL, while he assumedly splits carries with Murray. Also, with Murray’s contract expiring after the 2016 season, Elliot is more than capable of developing into an eventual replacement for Murray if Oakland chooses to part ways with him after Elliot’s rookie year.

Again, Oakland could address other needs high in the draft, but regardless of his position, Elliot is one of the premier players in this year’s draft class. Additionally, a Raiders offense revolving around Carr, Amari Cooper, and Elliot does have a nice ring to it.

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