It’s nearly been four whole months since the 2016 NFL Draft and you may have forgotten that the Dallas Cowboys used not one, but two draft picks on the running back position.
Ezekiel Elliott has received the majority of the hype surrounding the Cowboys draft picks and rightfully so, but the other running back that they drafted in the six round out the Eastern Michigan might just end up being a steal in regards to where he was drafted.
Darius Jackson has all of the qualities that you look for in a running back in the NFL and could very well be just as good as Ezekiel Elliott.
Let’s take a look at Jackson and Elliott’s last year of college production in 2015 and what they have been able to accomplish during their entire collegiate career.
Darius Jackson 2015 & Career Stats
| Att/Rec | Yards | YPC | TDs | |
| Rushing | 208 | 1,078 | 5.2 | 14 |
| Career Total | 321 | 1,586 | 4.9 | 17 |
| Receiving | 21 | 201 | 2 | |
| Career Total | 44 | 375 | 4 |
Ezekiel Elliott 2015 & Career Stats
| Att/Rec | Yards | YPC | TDs | |
| Rushing | 289 | 1,821 | 6.3 | 23 |
| Career Total | 592 | 3,961 | 6.7 | 43 |
| Receiving | 27 | 206 | 0 | |
| Career Total | 58 | 449 | 1 |
Let’s break down the 2015 season for both Jackson and Elliott first, because comparing career stats between the two players would be unfair considering Elliott received more opportunities than Jackson throughout their college careers.
If you take into consideration that Elliott had 81 more rushing attempts than Jackson, the argument could be made that Jackson’s 2015 performance might be a lot more similar to Elliott’s. If you think about it, 81 more rushing attempts for Jackson would equal about six more games to improve his statistics if you take into account he is receiving approximately 20 carries a game.
Suddenly, Ezekiel Elliott’s 1,821 rushing yards don’t seem quite as impressive, especially if you consider the talent that surrounded him at Ohio State.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying to discount anything that Ezekiel Elliott was able to accomplish in college. In fact, he had an outstanding collegiate career. What I’m trying to do is shine a little more light on the type of player Darius Jackson is and why the Dallas Cowboys decided to draft him in the six round.
Do you know what Leonard Fournette, Derrick Henry, and Darius Jackson had in common in 2015?
All three had the highest percentage of their teams touchdowns scored.
45: Leonard Fournette accounted for 45.1% of LSU's TD scored (all non-passing TD) in 2015, highest rate in FBS pic.twitter.com/joAwFYlhzx
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 18, 2016
That’s pretty impressive company that Darius Jackson finds himself in. Derrick Henry is the 2015 Heisman winner and Leonard Fournette was not only a Heisman favorite in 2015, but should be one of the favorites to win the Heisman once again in 2016.
The Dallas Cowboys could use as much help as possible with finding the end zone, especially after the disastrous offensive performance they had in 2015.
Darren McFadden might have finished fourth in rushing in the NFL in 2015 with 1,089 rushing yards, but he only managed to score 3 touchdowns. That is definitely an area that could use improvement for the 2016 season.
It has yet to be seen what type of player Darius Jackson can be for the Dallas Cowboys, but it is encouraging to know that he has a nose for the end zone.
Now, is Darius Jackson better than Ezekiel Elliott?
Honestly, as good as I think Darius Jackson can become, I don’t think he has a chance to compete with Ezekiel Elliott for the starting running back spot. Elliott is arguably the most complete running back to enter the NFL since Adrian Peterson nearly a decade ago.
I’m not even sure that Jackson can outperform Darren McFadden or Alfred Morris to earn more playing time in 2016.
I do however envision Darius Jackson becoming Robin to Ezekiel Elliott’s Batman in the future after he has had time to develop his skills further and get accustomed to the speed of the NFL.
It is really going to be interesting to see how Jackson performs in training camp and in preseason games. I’m sure he will receive plenty of opportunities to impress the coaching staff and show us all why the Dallas Cowboys decided to draft him.
Are you excited to see what type of player the Dallas Cowboys have in Darius Jackson?
Please feel free to use the comment section below to provide your thoughts and opinions on this topic. I really look forward to hearing back from you so that we can discuss this topic further.
Oh stop this.
I coached football for 7 years and I know that it's become a passing league but anyone knows that if you want to throw the ball, you first have to be able to run the ball and I don't see any team with four running backs better than the Cowboys in the NFL!!!
100% agree with you Shawn.
As much as I like the pick, in no way is Darius better than EzE. When you're comparing stats, you have to take into account a huge variable, the teams that you are facing and the quality of their offense/defense. Playing Big 10 football is a far cry from Mid America Conference
Thanks for commenting Paul. I don't disagree with anything you said, in fact I probably should've put a little more emphasis on the level competition that both Jackson and Elliott faced in my article. I do however wonder if Darius Jackson and Ezekiel Elliott were to switch places if their statistics would still be a little similar. If Jackson was surrounded with the talent that Ohio State had on offense, would he have similar stats that Elliott had and vice versa? I do believe that Elliott is the better RB, but the point I was trying to make is that Jackson could be a very good RB in the NFL as well.
If nothing else Jackson is faster than Elliott & that in itself might make a difference. Zeek probably has him beat in hand size though which is important w/ ball security. I don't see the elusiveness of Emmitt out there in any of the runners. Cudos 2 Emmitt he was just plain EXCITING 2 watch!!!
Thanks for commenting Monte. I think they both are going to make a really good 1-2 combination for years to come.
Having Darious Jackson in town with Zeke would make our RB group a bit more dynamic and dangerous for the next few years. Even after D-Mac and Morris go on their way, these two guys will hold it down wonderfully.
Thanks for commenting Tyshawn. I'm really looking forward to seeing both Darius Jackson and Ezekiel Elliott running behind the Cowboys talented offensive line.
Nice article,but please don't use titles like that. Wayyyyy to clickbaity
Thanks for commenting Dave. I don't usually use titles like that. Usually I try to avoid the clickbaity titles, but I thought this time it was kind of fitting. I wanted to express how Darius Jackson could become a really good RB for the Dallas Cowboys. I think often times we get too caught up in the collegiate programs these players play at and their stats. College production is great, but once you become a professional you have to start all over. Jackson is from a small program, but I think you can be really good in the NFL.
Brian I have to believe this article is a little tongue in cheek. Elliot to Jackson comparison is Apple's and oranges. Elliot played at Ohio St. While Jackson played at EMU. Get real man!
Thanks for coming Randy. I know that Zeke Elliott and Darius Jackson are probably on opposite ends of the spectrum as running backs, but I really think Jackson has a lot that can be developed and help him become a really good RB in the NFL. I don't know if I could say the same thing about Elliott. He is already so well-rounded that I'm not sure if he can become much better. Jackson may never become as good as Elliott, but that's okay. That's why I said he could become Robin to Elliott's Batman in the article.
Brian, I think your article is spot on and agree that Darius has the potential to be better than Elliot. Here are the reasons: 1) Darius is a better athlete- Proday numbers were 4.34- 40, 41' vertical, 11.1 broad, 20- 225 reps, @ 6ft 220 lbs. These numbers if he would have been invited to the combine would have put him in the top 3 of every category. He also could have went pro at baseball. Darius was a 2 sport athlete at EMU. His batting average while playing baseball for EMU's baseball team was 460. 2) The offensive line at EMU is not even in the same conversation as Ohio States. If you look at difference of last years numbers between Elliot and Jackson the difference is Darius created space and Elliot excelled at the space his oline created. 3) Opportunity. Darius has only been on a small stage his whole life. From a small town and small schools. Now he has put himself into a position to have a shot to show what he has done at every level just on a bigger stage. In listening to his interviews this stage is what he was waiting for. Now he has to take advantage of his opportunity.
Football Geek, I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. Personally, I can't wait to see what Darius Jackson does in the preseason. I really think he's going to open a lot of eyes and the Cowboys might just have to find some kind of role for him in 2016.