Seattle Seahawks

Kam Chancellor says a full game vs. Ezekiel Elliott 'would have been a bloodbath'

Published Nov. 15, 2016 2:26 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

Ezekiel Elliott made his NFL debut for the Dallas Cowboys on Thursday night and showed exactly why he was drafted fourth overall despite the devaluing of the running back position. Elliott displayed his speed around the edge, his quickness between the tackles and, most important, undeniable physicality.

Seattle Seahawks defensive back Kam Chancellor – who’s one of the hardest-hitting safeties in the NFL at 6-foot-3, 225 pounds – learned that early on. He and Elliott had several head-on collisions, which you could make the case the rookie won each time.

.@EzekielElliott just lowered his shoulder on the hardest hitting safety in the league.

Go on, rookie. ? #DALvsSEA https://t.co/rz4dqLBcpQ
— NFL Network (@nflnetwork) August 26, 2016

Having seen very little of Elliott, Chancellor was shocked to see him lower his shoulder into one of the NFL’s biggest safeties.

Chancellor gives Elliott credit for being so physical, especially in his NFL debut. He wasn’t going to shy from contact with the rookie, though. He welcomed it.

"He lowered his shoulder the first time, and I commend him for that,” Chancellor said. “But I was just out there having fun. I was just taking on the challenge. I love a challenge. I love a good fight."

Elliott finished the game with seven carries for 48 yards against Seattle’s top defense. It was a great outing by the former Ohio State Buckeye and looked like a sign of things to come this season.

.@EzekielElliott finds the edge...

And cuts back for the first down! #DALvsSEA https://t.co/n9d1tPjAYh
— NFL (@NFL) August 26, 2016

There’s still a long way to go in his career, but if he can play like this against one of the best defenses in the NFL, he’s going to have a great deal of success.