Ranking The Three Teams on Ezekiel Elliott’s Wish List

Sports Illustrated

Long time Dallas Cowboys running back and former number four overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft, Ezekiel Elliott, enters unprecedented territory he has not faced in his NFL career thus far: free agency. After getting released by the Dallas Cowboys on the first day of free agency after a storied career with America’s team, Elliott has put together a wish list of three teams that he’d like to join for the next part of his career.

Those three teams on Elliott’s wish list are the Philadelphia Eagles, New York Jets, and Cincinnati Bengals according to ESPN Senior NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Schefter also reported that Elliott would like to make his decision about where to sign by the end of next week.

Elliott is certainly not the same player he was when he first entered the league in 2016 and when he was in his prime years. However, he still does provide value when it comes to third and fourth down short yardage scenarios. With this in mind, let’s now rank the three teams on Elliott’s wish list in terms of best fit for the former Cowboy.

1: Philadelphia Eagles

What better way to get back at your former team than deciding to sign with a divisional rival who is coming fresh off of a Super Bowl appearance.

While the Eagles did sign running back Rashad Penny earlier this offseason, Penny has found himself off the field too often so far in his career and has never had the responsibilities as a true work horse back yet.

Kenneth Gainwell, who is someone that Philadelphia really likes and believes in, but hasn’t seen the field that often. Elliott could fill this role for Philadelphia, as he is a back who wins with strength and power whereas Gainwell really only wins in the receiving game with his shiftiness and speed.

In terms of the situation around him, even with the departure of offensive guard Isaac Seumalo to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia still has the best offensive line in the league when it comes to run blocking.

Not to mention, last season Philadelphia led the league in rushing success rate. It also doesn’t hurt when Jalen Hurts is your quarterback who presents challenges for defenses when it comes to his own legs and rushing ability.

General Manager Howie Roseman is a big believer in positional value, so it is unlikely that Elliott gets a big pay day like he did in Dallas before ultimately getting released. However, if he is willing to take less money after the big contract he received in Dallas, divisional rival Philadelphia gives him the best chance to end his career as a Super Bowl champion.

2: Cincinnati Bengals

In the scenario that Cincinnati decides to sign Elliott, they would most likely also decide to move on from Joe Mixon who is currently facing legal trouble as his release would save Cincinnati an extra $7 million against the cap. Additionally, this would also allow Cincnnati to target a younger back in the later rounds of the draft or even earlier if they choose to do so.

Even if Mixon does stay, there still very well could be a role for Elliott. This would come in the passing game as Cincinnati moved on from Samaje Perine who most recently signed with the Denver Broncos.

While the Bengals are one of the most aggressive and pass happy teams in the league which would limit touches and opportunities for Elliott, they are also one of the most efficient and high scoring offenses in the sport. Elliott would be able to have plenty of short and goal line opportunities to punch it in for six and keep moving the chains for Burrow and company.

Taking support cast into account, Cincinnati’s offensive line has been the best it’s ever been in years as it has highly revamped it after signing offensive tackle Orlando Brown Jr. to a historic contract. Not to mention, also adding four new starters last offseason. While La’el Collins may be traded, there is no question that Cincinnati’s offensive line is in a way better place now than it was when they were competing in the Super Bowl only two years ago.

If Elliott were to join the Bengals, he would be coming home to Ohio where he played college football at the Ohio State University.

3: New York Jets

The Jets offense is going to look completely different next season based on the moves they have made in free agency. So far all signs point to the franchise acquiring future first ballot hall of fame quarterback Aaron Rodgers in a trade with the Green Bay Packers.

New York has added wide receivers Allen Lazard and Mecole Hardman, while deciding to part ways with Elijah Moore who they decided to trade to Cleveland. The running back room and depth chart has stayed the same. In fact, it has actually gotten shallower after James Robinson signed with the Patriots.

Breece Hall will no doubt be the highest yard rusher in the backfield; however, he is also coming off of an ACL tear injury that he suffered in October. Hall believes that he will be ready to go by training camp, as many experts believe that the former Iowa State cyclone is in for a breakout season in year two. If this in fact the case, Elliott would serve as a nice insurance policy if “Gang Green” wants to take their time with their future superstar running back.

Playing with Rodgers gives everyone an advantage and makes everyone around him better. If Elliott were to sign a one-year prove it deal in New York, he could earn a bigger pay day next offseason based on his play and snap share percentage. While this would be great for Elliott, New York already has plenty of depth with Hall coming back as mentioned, but also Michael Carter and Zonovan Knight.

New York’s offensive line is also the worst of this bunch, which makes the Jets the least likely destination and landing spot for Elliott and his services.