By Charlie Campbell
Weaknesses:
Summary: Over the past decade, Missouri has been a factory for NFL defensive linemen, with players like Sheldon Richardson, Charles Harris, and Kony Ealy becoming early-round picks in various NFL drafts. Elliott will carry that tradition into 2020, as he could get selected before the second round is completed. Over the past two seasons, he was a disruptive defender for the Tigers, showing off a pro skill set.
Team sources told me in the summer of 2019 that Elliott impressed them during the previous fall even though he didn’t produce a big stat line. He totaled 24 tackles with three sacks and a pass batted in 2018. As a junior, Elliott was around the ball more, recording 44 tackles, 2.5 sacks and three passes batted in 2019. He decided to enter the 2020 NFL Draft rather than return to Missouri for 2020. At the NFL Scouting Combine, Elliott had a good workout with a fast 40 time of 5.02 seconds.
For the NFL, Elliott has the ability to be a disruptor and contributor in both phases. The first thing that jumps out about Elliott is how quick he is off the ball, showing a good get-off and first-step quickness to fire his gap. Elliott has active hands with developed strength to fight off guards and work his way off blocks. To along with some functional power, Elliott has a nice ability to use his hands and feet at the same time. Combined with his speed, Elliott has some twitch as an athlete, and he can surprise offensive linemen with his burst to get upfield. As a pro pass-rusher, he will probably be more of a defender who collects pressure and disruption rather than produces a big sack total.
Elliott is stout as a run defender and holds his ground at the point of attack. He has developed strength to stand up guards when runs come downhill at him. There are also times when Elliott causes problems by firing his gap and working upfield. He can get into trouble when he stands up too high and loses leverage, but he can improve on that as a pro.
In the NFL, Elliott is a good fit in either scheme. He could be a three technique in a 4-3 and has the length to play as a five-technique defensive end in a 3-4.
Some team sources feel that Elliott most likely will get selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft and won’t fall lower than Round 3. They feel he is a well-rounded player who worked out well.
Player Comparison: Sheldon Richardson. Elliott reminds me of a slightly slower and slightly less athletic version of Richardson. Hence, Elliott is a second-day pick while Richardson went in the first round. In the NFL, I could see Elliott being a lesser version of Richardson.
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