Ezekiel Elliott was drafted No. 4 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. 135 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 68 career approximate value
2016 NFL Draft · Rd 1, Pick 4 · #4 overall
Ezekiel Elliott Ohio State Draft
Ezekiel Elliott was drafted No. 4 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. 135 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 68 career approximate value
1× All-Pro 3× Pro Bowl
- Overall pick
- #4
- Round
- 1
- Draft class
- 2016
- NFL games
- 135
- Years as starter
- 7
- Career AV
- 689th at Ohio State
- Pro Bowls
- 3
- All-Pro
- 1
The pick
How Ezekiel Elliott came off the board in 2016.
- Position
- Running back RB
- College
-
Ohio State
Big Ten at the draft
- Measurables
- 6'0" · 225 lbs
- Hometown
- St. Louis, MO
- Pre-draft board
- No. 4 prospect93.0 grade
- Side of the ball
- Offense
NFL career
135 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 68 career approximate value
- Games played
- 135
- Seasons as a starter
- 7
- Career approximate value
- 689th among Ohio State picks
- AV with the drafting club
- 6596% of career value
- Final season
- 20248 years after the draft
- Accolades
- 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
Around pick 4
Who came off the board on either side of Ezekiel Elliott.
North Dakota State · 1× Pro Bowl
Florida State · 3× All-Pro · 8× Pro Bowl
Notre Dame · 1× All-Pro · 2× Pro Bowl
Ohio State in the 2016 draft
Teammates who went in the same class.
Joey Bosa
DE · LAC
Ohio State · 5× Pro Bowl
#10
Eli Apple
CB · NYG
Ohio State
#16
Taylor Decker
T · DET
Ohio State · 1× Pro Bowl
#20
Darron Lee
OLB · NYJ
Ohio State
#47
Michael Thomas
WR · NO
Ohio State · 2× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl
#61
Vonn Bell
S · NO
Ohio State
#80
Adolphus Washington
DT · BUF
Ohio State
#85
Braxton Miller
WR · HOU
Ohio State
#94
Nick Vannett
TE · SEA
Ohio State
#102
Joshua Perry
ILB · LAC
Ohio State
#139
Cardale Jones
QB · BUF
Ohio State
Other RB picks from Ohio State
The program's most accomplished players at the same spot.
Ohio State · 1× All-Pro · 4× Pro Bowl
#21
Robert Smith
RB · MIN · 1993
Ohio State · 2× Pro Bowl
#10
Keith Byars
RB · PHI · 1986
Ohio State · 1× Pro Bowl
#57
Carlos Hyde
RB · SF · 2014
Ohio State
#55
J.K. Dobbins
RB · BAL · 2020
Ohio State
#127
Vince Workman
RB · GB · 1989
Ohio State
About this draft profile
Last updated Aug 24, 2026
Ezekiel Elliott in the 2016 NFL Draft
Ezekiel Elliott is a Running back out of Ohio State selected No. 4 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft. 135 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 68 career approximate value Ohio State has produced 284 NFL draft picks since 1980.
Where this data comes from
Pick order and career outcomes come from the nflverse draft archive; position, measurables, and conference at the time of the draft come from the college feed. Career columns stay empty until a player logs regular-season snaps.
Frequently asked questions
Where was Ezekiel Elliott drafted?
Ezekiel Elliott was selected No. 4 overall by the Dallas Cowboys in the 2016 NFL Draft (Rd 1, Pick 4). Full pick detail at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2016/ezekiel-elliott.
What college did Ezekiel Elliott play for?
Ezekiel Elliott played college football at Ohio State in the Big Ten. See every Ohio State draft pick at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/schools/ohio-state-buckeyes.
How did Ezekiel Elliott's NFL career turn out?
135 regular-season games · 7 seasons as a starter · 68 career approximate value Accolades: 1× All-Pro · 3× Pro Bowl. Career outcome data at https://fantasyhq.co/cfb-hq/draft-history/players/2016/ezekiel-elliott.