Should the Buffalo Bills sign former All-Pro running back Ezekial Elliott?

The Dallas Cowboys are reportedly set to release Ezekiel Elliot, long-time running back and former All-Pro.  I don’t think his time in the NFL is done and some team in the league will certainly pick him up.  Should that someone be Brandon Beane and the Buffalo Bills?

I wrote a piece a few weeks back about the Bills’ off-season needs and running back was not one of them; however, I’ve got one reason why this could work for the Buffalo Bills and why they should absolutely go out and sign him.

Elliot scored 40 touchdowns over his last four seasons with the Dallas Cowboys, so the scoring production is still there, and clearly has a nose for the endzone.

Where can Elliot help the Bills, he would be a huge addition to the team as a short-yardage, goal-line back.  At 6 feet and 226 pounds, he would be a great power back, something the Bills do not have on the roster at the moment.

Additionally, Elliot has over 200 receptions over that same four-year period, showing he can be a factor in the passing game.  This gives the Bills and offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey the ability to be flexible and creative inside the five-yard line.  With a quarterback like Josh Allen, defenses won’t be able to key on him in a run/pass option play or assume that Elliott is getting the ball on a run play even when he’s on the field.

I think this contributed somewhat to the Bills’ struggles in the red zone a season ago, without any true power back on the field, defenses knew the ball was likely staying in Allen’s hands on a power sweep or a simple drop-back pass.

The only question or concern I have with this is the contract.  It’s unknown if Elliott would be willing to sign a significantly smaller contract than what he’s had in the past and accept the role as strictly a power guy.  If he is, his career could be extended a couple more years in this role and would be a great fit for what the Bills need in their backfield.