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IRVING, Texas -- The Dallas Cowboys entered the 2016 NFL Draft with tons of needs on defense, but with the No. 4 overall pick, the goal was to get the best player who could possibly have the biggest impact. In a roundabout way, the Cowboys accomplished both by taking Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott. He was the highest ranked player on the board and one who is the most impact-ready player in the draft.
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And while it gives the offense an exciting and dynamic weapon to go along with quarterback Tony Romo and receiver Dez Bryant, it also helps the defense because he will allow the offense to control the ball and the clock while keeping the other team off the field.
"He is the biggest impact player we could take," owner Jerry Jones said. "That is what we should do. If we are that high we should take the biggest impact player we could take. I didn't want to be this high and not come out of here with some impact.
"He was the chance to give us the most impact plays. He did that for us. We do believe it addresses as what we can be as far as getting better on offense and helping our defense. We don't believe this purely an offensive pick."
A Cowboys team coming of a 4-12 season with needs galore on defense, had a chance to take the highest-rated defensive player in the draft in Florida State cornerback Jalen Ramsey.
Instead, they went with Elliott, who called it a dream come true to come to Dallas, run behind the league's best offensive line and join Romo and Bryant in an updated version of the famed Triplets.
The burden he has now has is to become the bell cow he promised and relieve some of the burden off Romo while helping the Cowboys return to the run-dominant, ball control unit it was in 2014 when it finished 12-4 behind league-leading rusher DeMarco Murray.
The Cowboys didn't think Murray was worth the money, allowing him to walk in free agency last off-season.
Darren McFadden led the Cowboys in rushing last year with 1,089 yards and the team signed former Washington Redskins workhorse Alfred Morris in free agency.
But the Cowboys believe Elliott is a transcendent player, who could have an immediate impact as an every-down back. He has the speed to take it the distance as well as the savvy and smarts to be a threat on passing downs as a blocker and receiver out of the backfield.
"He's the most complete back that I've been able to scout in eight years doing this," running backs coach Gary Brown said. "When you have talented runners, you take them where you need to take them. The running backs are making a comeback.They get devalued when you don't have one. That devalue thing is overblown."
Elliott ran for 3,961 yards, the second-most in school history, and 44 touchdowns in three seasons at Ohio State. Elliott helped the Buckeyes win the 2014 national championship.
Behind an offensive line that includes three Pro Bowlers in left tackle Tyron Smith, center Travis Frederick and guard Zack Martin, Elliott will be an instant impact player in Dallas.
Romo had his best season in 2014 when the Cowboys had a running game to take pressure off him and help keep the defense off the field.
"A player like this allows you to play a certain style," coach Jason Garrett said. "It can a positive impact in other players on offense. It helps the receiver. You possess the ball more. You get more plays on offense. It allows the defense to play at a higher level. We believe Zeke gives us a chance to do that."
Said Jerry Jones: "He brings a dimension for Tony that should make us all sleep better."
