Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott was one of the most rock-solid assets at the position for an extended period you don't often see from the position, but that finally came to an end in 2020. A combination of Zeke getting hurt and trying to play through it, Dallas suffering an incredible number of injuries on their offensive line and Dak Prescott (injury) being replaced by Andy Dalton turned the once sure-fire RB1 into a borderline starter. Is 2021 an opportunity to buy low leveraging recency bias, or was it the start of the end for a back who enters this year with an incredible number of touches over the last five seasons?
We want to keep you up to date with everything surrounding his 2021 profile. Below, we'll break down Elliott's outlook, changes in his ADP, where he's going in mock drafts, training camp/preseason updates (when the time comes) and more.
2021 Outlook
Ezekiel Elliott might not be the same elite Fantasy option he was at the start of his career, but he can still be among the best players at his position. And he's worth drafting with a first-round pick in all formats. The best argument for Elliott is the way he performed when Dak Prescott was healthy. In the first five games of the season with Prescott, Elliott scored at least 20 PPR points in four of those outings.
He had five games of 11-plus PPR points over his next 10 outings (he didn't play in Week 15 because of a calf injury), and it was clear he missed Prescott and a competent offensive line, which was also banged up. With everyone healthy around Elliott, he should rebound and play at a high level again. The earliest you should draft Elliott is No. 5 overall in all leagues. (Heath Cummings)
Changes in ADP
*All ADP data is courtesy of FantasyFootballCalculator.com and for half-point PPR scoring.
Elliott's ADP hasn't moved too much this offseason, but he has received at least a mini 'Hard Knocks' bump and is coming off the board a bit earlier in Round 1.
CBS Mock Draft position
8/18 half-PPR 12-team: Round 1, No. 7 overall
8/12 half-PPR 10-team: Round 1, No. 7 overall
8/6 PPR Superflex mock: Round 1, No. 11 overall
8/3 non-PPR mock: Round 1, No. 5 overall
7/20 half-PPR mock: Round 1, No. 9 overall
7/7 Superflex mock: Round 2, No. 17 overall
6/16 full-PPR mock: Round 1, No. 8 overall
6/9 Superflex mock: Round 2, No. 18 overall
Training camp/Preseason updates
7/30: Cowboys coach Mike McCarthy hinted the team would keep in mind the postseason when factoring in Elliott's 2021 usage during the regular season: "We've got some younger guys who can play and produce, so it's not necessary for Zeke to run the ball 25-30 times a game," McCarthy said to reporters at camp. "When you get to December, January football, you want him to be in top form to be able to run the ball 25-30 times if needed."
