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DC Marinelli 'elated' by Cowboys drafting Elliott

Matthew Emmons / USA TODAY Sports

Leading up to the Dallas Cowboys' fourth overall pick at the 2016 NFL Draft, there were reportedly two names on the board for Jerry Jones and company: Florida State defensive back Jalen Ramsey and Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott.

The Cowboys selected Elliott to be their new bell-cow running back, which may not have been the preferred pick of the teams' defensive coaches. However, defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli sees the value in adding a quality back, and isn't sour about missing out on an elite defender in Ramsey.

"I'm elated because I think you always look at the big picture," Marinelli told KRLD-FM, according to the Dallas Morning News. "We don't play fantasy football. It's not that. A one-yard, two-yard run there's fight and physicalness. That's good for your team. It develops toughness. We have to go against that offense every day. We play our offense more than anybody. It develops a hardness to your defense. You've got to play against a great line, a great back, now you've got to match up on an All-Pro receiver, great quarterback.

"It's the physical nature of the game, which at times is being lost in today's football. The physical nature of the game, I believe in that. This young man and the other backs are going to bring that."

The Cowboys are hoping Elliott has a similar effect as DeMarco Murray in 2014, which saw Marinelli's defense benefit from extended periods resting on the sidelines.

Dallas has, arguably, the NFL's best offensive line, which was able to make room for Darren McFadden to have just his second career 1,000-yard season after being hampered by injuries for seven seasons.

With Elliot's addition, plus free-agent signee Alfred Morris, as well as the return of a healthy Tony Romo-Dez Bryant connection, Marinelli should get his wish of an overall improved Cowboys team in 2016.

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