Fantasy Football: Redrafting the First Round After 4 Weeks

5. Ezekiel Elliott, RB, Dallas Cowboys

There may not be a riskier pick in our updated redraft than Ezekiel Elliott, whose legal issues continue to generate uncertainty as to his availability for the rest of the 2017 season. It appears unlikely he will serve any of his suspension this year, but of course, the legal process is always willing to surprise.

Elliott hasn’t been as effective as he was as a rookie on the field, but has still posted an effective 0.01 Rushing NEP per carry on his 76 carries, down from his 0.11 mark in 2016. Still, outside of a 9-carry for 8-yard stinker against the vaunted Denver Broncos defense, the Dallas Cowboys running back has had either 100 yards or a touchdown in 3 of his 4 contests.

Elliott currently ranks seventh at his position in fantasy points even with his failures against Denver and remains one of the few running backs in the NFL that you could classify as a workhorse.

He’s also on pace to double his receiving total from just 32 last season to 64 this year, upgrading his value significantly in PPR formats while boosting his floor in standard leagues. If he can remain actively involved in the passing game and avoid suspension, Elliott will easily remain a top-five running back moving forward.