The 2016 NFL Draft is a little over two weeks (17 days) away. In the meantime, we're going to kill some time with our regular Mock Draft Monday series. Last week SB Nation's Adam Stites had the Eagles taking an offensive lineman in the first round. This week Dan Kadar is back and he has the Eagles taking ... you guessed it ... Ezekiel Elliott.
Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Ohio State - DeMarco Murray is long gone and Ryan Mathews may not be far behind him. Enter Elliott, a true building block for new head coach Doug Pederson. Elliott has the ability to be a workhorse back, but he helps a lot in the passing game thanks to his skill as a blocker and pass catcher. Elliott warrants a top 10 pick because he's such a complete player with few flaws.
Kadar has Jared Goff as the first quarterback off the board at No. 2. He has Carson Wentz making it to one spot before the Eagles pick at No. 7. Then he has Paxton Lynch going to the Bills at No. 19.
There's a lot of rumors out there that the Eagles might trade up for a quarterback. Other mock drafts have one of the top two quarterbacks from this class falling to the Birds at No. 8. QB seems like it could be the top priority for Philadelphia. If there isn't one available, then maybe Elliott could be a good consolation prize because of the value he adds to the team's offense. There's also an argument that the Eagles just shouldn't take a running back in the first round.
We do know the Eagles have some level of interest in Zeke. The team is hosting the Ohio State rusher on pre-draft visit in Philadelphia.
Read more about Elliott in Ben Natan's scouting report:
When a player touches the ball 25 times a game, there are bound to be negative plays, so they don't concern me. However, when a player can create positive yards on every touch, they are special.
That is Ezekiel Elliott.
There is something truly exceptional about never moving backwards as a running back. Elliot, through a blend of various traits, does an outstanding job creating those yards whenever he is on the field. The 6-0, 225 pounder runs fully behind his pads, possessing incredible strength and balance for the position. He does not shy away from contact and is excellent at fighting through traffic to gain extra yardage. His leg drive, strength and balance sprung him for several big plays where he fought and bounced through defenses for large gains.
So what do you think of this week's pick?