Season preview: Elliott gives Cowboys some juice in veteran backfield

Ezekiel Elliott is getting plenty of fanfare since joining the Dallas Cowboys as the fourth overall pick.

The Ohio State product has already seen his jersey fly off shelves and people peg him as the favorite to win the NFL offensive rookie of the year. But Elliott is set on not letting outside pressure get to him.

“All I expect is to go out there and help this football team win football games,” Elliott said. “Expectations, outside expectations really don’t mean much to me. I don’t think anyone can expect more of myself than me and my teammates and that’s all that matters.”

Elliott is expected to become one of the featured players for the Cowboys on offense, and take a significant load off quarterback Tony Romo. It’s not far-fetched to think Elliott could rush for more than 1,500 yards and record double-digit touchdowns.

He rushed for more than 1,800 yards in each of his last two seasons at Ohio State, and is now running behind what many consider the top offensive line in football.

“He has the right approach — put his head down and go to work and learn as much as he can,” tight end Jason Witten said. “He approaches the game like a pro, he knows he’s got a lot to learn and he’s excited to do it.”

Elliott, 21, has the makings of becoming a star in the league with his speed and power and instincts. The Cowboys loved him coming out of college because he is a complete back, capable of running, catching and blocking.

“We certainly like the transition that Zeke has made up to this point,” coach Jason Garrett said. “He’s a smart football player. He works very hard at it. You see his growth and development as a result of that work.”

Elliott has had a couple of issues pop up during training camp, though. He had been accused of domestic abuse by a former girlfriend, and dealt with hamstring tightness early on.

But the Cowboys viewed each issue as minor and have high hopes for what Elliott will bring to the team in 2016. The goal is that Elliott does for the offense what DeMarco Murray did during the 12-4 season in 2014.

Elliott won’t be alone in the backfield, either.

Darren McFadden had the fourth-most rushing yards in the NFL a season ago, and should be a nice complementary back when he returns from an elbow injury. Former Redskins tailback Alfred Morris impressed in camp, as well, and Lance Dunbar could become another threat out of the backfield when he’s healthy.

And let’s not forget about Elliott’s former college teammate, Rod Smith, who flashed potential throughout camp.

“We have a very talented group,” Elliott said. “Every guy out there can run, can play, can be a starter and that’s just great for everyone. Competition doesn’t do anything but make you better.

“We’re going to lean on each other, we’re going to better each other as football players and we’re going to do whatever we can to help this team win games.”

This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 11:34 AM with the headline "Season preview: Elliott gives Cowboys some juice in veteran backfield."