Bengals Should Pursue Former Cowboys Star Running Back Ezekiel Elliott

The 27-year-old was released by Dallas earlier this month.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals were linked to former Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott on Thursday when ESPN's Adam Schefter reported they were one of three teams in the mix for the former All-Pro running back. 

Head coach Zac Taylor laughed off the question when WCPO asked him about the report. 

"There's a lot of great players that are available right now," Taylor said. "We like our team as where it's at right now. It's always funny when things get thrown around. Sometimes it's the first you hear of it, but that's just the way life works."

Maybe that was the first time Taylor heard the report. Maybe the Bengals haven't seriously considered adding Elliott at all. 

That should change today if that's the case. Here are some of the reasons why Elliott and the Bengals are a perfect match:

Samaje Perine Replacement

© Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals tried to re-sign Perine, but he took a similar offer from the Broncos to move closer to family.

That leaves a major void in Cincinnati's backfield. Perine played a major role in the Bengals' offense: pass blocker. 

Joe Burrow and the Bengals are a pass first team. That's going to continue this season and beyond. Having a proven pass blocker like Elliott makes a ton of sense, regardless of the other running backs that are on the roster. 

Elliott wouldn't be Joe Mixon's replacement, he would be Perine's.

Still Productive

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Elliott may not be what he once was, but he still ran for 876 yards and 12 touchdowns for the Cowboys last season. 

He'd give the Bengals a proven pass blocker and receiver out of the backfield. He's capable winning in short-yardage and goal-line situations. 

Elliott could compliment Mixon in the backfield or he could help a rookie running back get acclimated to life in the NFL. In both situations, he would share the Bengals' backfield.

Low Cost

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Perine signed a 2-year, $7.5 million contract with the Broncos. The Bengals should offer Elliott a one-year prove it deal with incentives. If Elliott wants a multi-year deal, then offer him a Perine-type contract

Adding one of the best pass blocking running backs in the NFL would make Burrow's life much easier.  

Buckeye Ties

Elliott was teammates with Burrow and Sam Hubbard at Ohio State in 2015. 

That familiarity helps in situations like this, especially if the Bengals want to get to know more about the 3-time Pro Bowler. 

Offensive line coach Frank Pollack, right tackle La'el Collins and cornerback Chidobe Awuzie were also in Dallas, which gives the Bengals plenty of people to talk to when evaluating Elliott.

The Bengals were mentioned in the report for a reason. They're legitimate Super Bowl contenders. Why not bring in a veteran that is capable of contributing to a championship team? 

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