Football player Ezekiel Elliott attends the 16th annual BET Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2016. Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo

Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliott walks onto the stage after being selected by the Dallas Cowboys with the fourth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016 in Chicago. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPIwalks onto the stage after being selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars with the fifth overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft on April 28, 2016 in Chicago. Photo by Brian Kersey/UPI | License Photo

Football player Ezekiel Elliott attends the 16th annual BET Awards at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on June 26, 2016. Photo by Phil McCarten/UPI | License Photo

DALLAS, June 29 (UPI) -- Fantasy footballers listen up.

It should come as no surprise that the Dallas Cowboys expect Ezekiel Elliott to make an immediate impact behind behemoth offensive linemen.


But just how many carries could the Ohio State rookie see?

Several hundred according to the team's official website.

Why #Cowboys running back @EzekielElliott will win NFL Rookie of the Year next season: https://t.co/Nrph5Y5XAs — Pro Football Focus (@PFF) June 24, 2016

"I think Zeke will finish with roughly 280-300 carries, which would put him right around 18-20 per game," Cowboys writer David Helman reported.

The team hasn't seen big-time production from the running back slot since DeMarco Murray led the NFL in rushing in 2014, finishing with 1,845 yards and 13 scores on 392 carries. But Murray is now on a tour of the NFL, skipping town twice since that magical season.

Elliott will now contend with veteran Alfred Morris and Darren McFadden in the Cowboys backfield, but his fresh legs will churn all season.

Elliott, 20, tallied 592 carries in 35 games for the Buckeyes. He carried 289 times for 1,821 yards and 23 touchdowns last season.

Cowboys running backs coach Gary Brown told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram last month that Elliott would compete for the job.

"He's going to compete," Brown said. "Zeke has to earn it. I think that's the best thing for our team and for those guys going forward."

The rookie could be well-suited to handle a big NFL workload. He shares a six-foot height with Murray, but is actually 11 pounds heavier, listed at 225 pounds.

Elliott signed a four-year, $24.9 million deal May 18. Morris, 27, hasn't rushed for double-digit scores since 2012 and hasn't eclipsed 1,100 yards since 2013. Last season he ran for 751 yards and one score with the Washington Redskins. The Cowboys gifted Morris with a two-year deal for $3.5 million in March.

McFadden, 28, led the Cowboys in rushing last season with 239 carries for 1,089 yards and three scores.