Cowboys ink 1st-rounder Ezekiel Elliott to rookie deal
The Dallas Cowboys announced Wednesday the signing of running back Ezekiel Elliot, their first-round pick in this year's draft.
Elliot was selected with the fourth overall pick and signed the standard four-year rookie contract with a fifth-year option.
While no contract details were given, Elliott is believed to have been given a $24.9-million fully guaranteed contract, with a $16.3-million signing bonus, NFL Network's Ian Rapoport reports.
Elliott's deal is the biggest rookie contract for a running back under the league's new rookie wage scale, surpassing Trent Richardson's after he was selected with the third overall pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.
The 20-year-old is now the ninth highest-paid running back in the league in terms of yearly salary.
He will likely step in as the Cowboys' featured back from Day 1, forming an intimidating offensive trio with wide receiver Dez Bryant and quarterback Tony Romo.
Elliott was the consensus top running back prospect in this year's draft after a standout career with Ohio State. He finished he collegiate career with 3961 rushing yards and 43 touchdowns.
The Cowboys also announced the signings of fifth-round cornerback Anthony Brown and sixth-round running back Darius Jackson.