As the No. 4 overall pick of the Dallas Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott is in a position very few people in the world could relate to. But one of those few people, Darren McFadden, just happens to be right there in the same locker room at Valley Ranch.
Signed as a free agent last year, McFadden understands the pressure of being a highly touted college running back turned the No. 4 overall pick of the draft (by an iconic organization, no less), because he went through it himself, and not that long ago. Run DMC, as they called him then, was picked fourth by the Raiders in 2008.
Now, far from fearing what Elliott’s presence could mean for his own future in Dallas, McFadden is hoping Elliott can benefit from his experience.
“I’ve been around the game long enough that I know there’s always going to be a new guy coming in whether they had picked him up in the fourth round or fifth or sixth or first round,” McFadden said, per Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I know the game. … I’m getting older, so I know there’s definitely going to have to be somebody to come in and take over.”
So far, McFadden likes what he’s seen out of Elliott.
“Coming in as the fourth overall pick is going to be a lot of weight on your shoulders,” McFadden said. “But I feel like it’s something he can handle. He’s been doing a great job in OTAs [organized team activities]. He’s a hard worker. He knows his plays, and that’s one of the main things for a running back.”
