Ezekiel Elliott hopes to be next in line of Cowboys greats

DeMarco Murray has contacted Ezekiel Elliott after the Cowboys drafted him Thursday night.

Murray, who led the NFL in rushing for the Cowboys in 2014 before joining the Eagles, told Elliott he would enjoy playing for Garrett and running backs coach Gary Brown.

Elliott was selected fourth overall by the Cowboys in hopes that he will help them win the NFC East like Murray did in 2014.

NFL first-round pick-by-pick analysis

Elliott rushing behind an NFL оffensive line excites the Cowboys. Elliott’s blocking should also protect 36-year-old quarterback Tony Romo. Investing in the rushing game helps control time of possession and keep the defense off the field.

Elliott has been lauded. After a fan tweeted, “Let’s just hope he’s as good as you were,” Emmitt Smith replied, “he’s better.”

“I’m honored that he believes that,” Elliott told a Friday news conference. “But I have much to prove. It will be hard to live up to that nаme.”

Elliott joined Smith and Tony Dorsett as Dallas’ third top-20 running back since 1967. Smith and Dorsett are Hall of Famers.

Elliott stated he wаnted to be drafted by Dallas and build a relationship with Smith and Dorsett. He plans to question Romo and Dez Bryant.

“I definitely do (have to earn their respect),” Elliott said. “These are bаttle-tested guys.”