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To set the table, Elliott had the best rookie season of any running back in Cowboys history. Better than Emmitt Smith and Tony Dorsett, two Hall of Famers. He proved to be everything the Cowboys (and fantasy owners) expected when Dallas took him fourth overall. Elliott didn't reach Eric Dickerson's rookie rushing record, but he could challenge the 2000-yard mark as an NFL sophomore. He might not be the receiving threat that David Johnson or Le'Veon Bell are, but his role and supporting cast are more than sufficient to keep him on the same tier as those two in all scoring formats (and the Cowboys believe Elliott can do more as a receiver this season).

Even with some attrition along the offensive line this offseason, there should be no slowing him down in 2017 as a runner, blocker and receiver.

Unless. ... He misses some time.

And even though issues dating back to last summer's domestic abuse violations have been legally resolved, it's still possible that the league could weigh in at some point. In addition, Elliott was involved in a dispute this past Sunday night that led to a man getting punched in the nose and being taken to a hospital.

Dallas police said the 30-year-old man didn't know who punched him, and the report does not mention Elliott. Dallas police also are investigating the incident.

Elliott also drew unwanted attention last season when he visited a legal marijuana shop before a preseason game in Seattle. Last spring, he pulled down a woman's shirt during a St. Patrick's Day parade. We also learned this week that Elliott is appealing a misdemeanor conviction for speeding that happened earlier this year, when the running back was clocked going 100 mph by a state trooper on the Dallas North Tollway.

Also worth noting, Elliott, who was contracted to appear at the National Fantasy Football Convention in Dallas last weekend, was in no mood to meet the media obligations that went along with that appearance, something I saw firsthand.

While we've been tracking Elliott's situation all offseason long, interest peaked two weeks ago, when ESPN's Adam Schefter hinted that discipline may be coming Elliott's way.

"I would just say this. It is definitely a factor," Schefter told SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio when asked if he would draft Elliott. "If I were drafting today, I would be hesitant to (draft him)." Reported by Philly.com

Schefter conceded the situation has gone back and forth many times. But he added, "I’ve spoken to some people within the league who, during the course of the offseason, got a sense that some form of discipline could happen. ... And then a decision that many people thought would come before the start of the July 4th weekend on Friday when the NFL usually makes a lot of decisions, hands down some news, I was told that was being pushed back."

Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said he didn't want to speculate about a possible suspension when asked on Tuesday. But Jones did comment on Elliott in general.

"Because of his style, personality, (he's) like a rock star wherever he goes in terms of attention," Jones said. "Certainly Zeke is evolving and being subject to needing to learn how to deal with the media and social media the way it is today."

Elliott said during the offseason program that he was going out less while understanding more the scrutiny he faces.

"Like all of us, we do good some days and don't do good the others," Jones said. "That's not to be confused with tolerating bad behavior or illegal behavior. That's not what I'm talking about. I'm talking about just learning that your every move will be scrutinized and how in this day and time it will be looked at from many vantage points."

With 1,631 yards rushing last season, Elliott powered the Dallas offense alongside fellow rookie sensation Dak Prescott, who took now-retired Tony Romo's job with the best debut season for a quarterback in franchise history. Given all that -- and despite the ongoing issues, Fantasy owners hoping to cash in on Elliott's potential are going to have to pay a top-three premium to secure his services.

Should you pay up?

FootballDiehards.com's own Armando Marsal takes a closer look at that in an article published July 19. You can access it HERE.