{"id":44407,"date":"2018-06-08T14:39:13","date_gmt":"2018-06-08T18:39:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lwosonnfl.ms.lastwordonsports.com\/?p=44407"},"modified":"2018-06-08T14:39:13","modified_gmt":"2018-06-08T18:39:13","slug":"case-ezekiel-elliott-number-one-fantasy","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/nfl\/2018\/06\/08\/case-ezekiel-elliott-number-one-fantasy\/","title":{"rendered":"Fantasy Football Draft: The Case for Ezekiel Elliott at Number One Overall"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fantasy football championships can be lost because of the failure of a first-round draft pick. It is important to avoid busting with an early round selection, especially at the very top of round one. The first overall pick of a snake draft brings the added pressure of waiting a significant period of time before making the next pick.\u00a0<\/span>The player selected first overall should have the highest possible floor and represent the player most likely to retain their first-round value.\u00a0<\/span>In 2018, the player that should be selected first overall, regardless of format, is Dallas Cowboys<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>running back Ezekiel Elliott<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Making the Case for Drafting Ezekiel Elliott First Overall in Fantasy<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Over his first two NFL seasons, Ezekiel Elliott’s per game averages have been historically great. When comparing the averages of the other running back options for the first overall pick, Elliott’s all-around efficiency clearly stands out.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Player<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal Games<\/strong><\/td>\nTotal Yards\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nReceptions\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\nTDs\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
E. Elliott<\/strong><\/td>\n25<\/td>\n129.9<\/td>\n2.32<\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
L. Bell<\/strong><\/td>\n29<\/td>\n119.8<\/td>\n4.41<\/td>\n0.66<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
D. Johnson<\/strong><\/td>\n32<\/td>\n98.6<\/td>\n3.62<\/td>\n1.0<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
T. Gurley<\/strong><\/td>\n29<\/td>\n86.4<\/td>\n2.2<\/td>\n0.55<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

 <\/p>\n

Elliott has the highest yards per game average and is tied with Arizona’s David Johnson<\/a><\/strong> with one total touchdown per game. Many fantasy owners will point to Elliott’s perceived lack of involvement in the passing game, but his usage during his first two seasons compares favorably to the Rams’ Todd Gurley<\/a><\/strong>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Elliott (2016-2017): 58 receptions, 632 yards, three receiving touchdowns<\/span>
\nGurley (2015-2016): 64 receptions, 515 yards, no receiving touchdowns<\/span><\/p>\n

Dallas is committed to increasing Elliott’s receiving usage and that will mean a huge leap in pass-catching production during his third season.<\/p>\n

\n

Ezekiel Elliott\u2019s pass down usage skyrocketed in 2017 (26.7 routes per game, per PFF) compared to his rookie season (17.6 RR\/G). <\/p>\n

For reference:<\/p>\n

\u2022 David Johnson averaged 31.8 RR\/G in 2016
\u2022 Le\u2019Veon Bell has 33 RR\/G the last two years
\u2022 Todd Gurley averaged 24.5 RR\/G in 2017<\/p>\n

— Graham Barfield (@GrahamBarfield) June 7, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n