Scouting Profile: Ezekiel Elliott might be the most polished RB prospect in years

Get an in-depth look at the top prospects in this year's draft class leading up to the NFL draft, which takes place April 28-30 in Chicago.

Ezekiel Elliott

Position: RB
School: Ohio State
College Experience: Junior
Height: 6-0
Weight: 225 lbs.
Age: 20

NFL player comparison: Frank Gore

Elliott has been compared to numerous star NFL runners, including Edgerrin James, Steven Jackson, Jamaal Charles, LeSean McCoy, and even Todd Gurley. Perhaps Frank Gore is Elliott's best comparison, though, as in his prime Gore shared Elliott's rare combination of vision, decisiveness, speed, agility, and physicality. Like Gore, Elliott played on a star-studded college team that afforded him plenty of opportunities to create highlight-reel runs in front of national audiences.

Draft Projection: Round 1 (Top 15)

Strengths

• Has the raw talent and refined skills to be a foundational offensive piece.
• An instinctive runner with excellent vision to find the hole and hit it.
• Runs with ease, his feet always following his eyes, and he cuts and weaves through defenders.
• Excellent balance and ability to bend.
• Breaks arm tackles and doesn't shy away from finishing runs with physicality. Falls forward at the point of contact.
• An adept receiver.
• Fairly advanced as a pass-protector.
• No ball security issues.

Weaknesses

• Has more wear and tear on his body than might be expected of a 20-year-old junior.
• Finishing runs with physicality is commendable, but must learn how to better avoid unnecessary and potentially injurious contact.
• Like most rookies, pass protection would benefit from refinement.
• Eagerness to leave college and turn pro could be a turn-off for some.

Combine Results