Along with the two top quarterback prospects in the 2016 NFL Draft, the Eagles have been most consistently linked to top running back prospect Ezekiel Elliott out of Ohio State. The former Buckeye is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of his position group in terms of draft ability and, were it not for the taboo that comes with drafting running backs toward the top of the draft, would be in the argument for the top player overall. With the Eagles having jettisoned DeMarco Murray and lacking in viable starter options on the current roster, Elliott seems to be a fit in Philadelphia. According to Elliott himself, courtesy of a conversation with ESPN Dolphins reporter James Walker, the organization seems to feel the same way.
Ohio State RB Ezekiel Elliott said he feels the #Eagles are showing the most interest. Philly swapped first rounders w/#Dolphins last month.
— James Walker (@JamesWalkerNFL) April 15, 2016
Even with the questions that come with drafting a running back toward the top of the draft in today's pass-heavy NFL, Elliott figures to shake some of those narratives. He's a legitimate three-down back who excels in the pass game and is well beyond his years in terms of pass protection in the backfield. The Eagles offense is short on game-changing talent, and Elliott is likely the skill player in the 2016 class who is most ready to bring that element to whatever team is fortunate enough to land him. The Eagles seem to be mentioned in attachment with all of the top prospects in the draft, so one has to take these reports with a grain of salt. That being said, the fact that this story came from the player himself is worth raising an eyebrow at. The pre-draft process is full of deception, so it's possible the Eagles are putting on a front. It's possible that's not the case, though and that Elliott is the apple of their eye.
Somers Price is a contributor for Eagledelphia.com and can be followed on Twitter @somersprice
