Browns bolster D-line with Jordan Elliott in 3rd round
The Cleveland Browns selected defensive tackle Jordan Elliott out of Missouri in the third round of the 2020 NFL Draft, 88th overall.
Elliott will provide depth to Cleveland's defensive front, which includes Sheldon Richardson and Larry Ogunjobi as starters. The Browns also added Andrew Billings in free agency, signing him away from the AFC North rival Cincinnati Bengals.
Elliott had 16.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks over his final two campaigns for the Tigers.
Prospect Profile
School: Missouri
Height: 6-4
Weight: 302 lbs
Positives
- Good size and production
- Excellent first-step quickness and burst off the line of scrimmage
- Lived in the backfield last season against the run and pass
- Fast, violent hands that never stop moving
- Good ability to shed blocks in run defense
- Very good bull-rusher who can convert speed to power at the point of attack to drive linemen backward
- Number of pass-rush moves including a deadly swim
- Good balance and flexibility to redirect
- Easily disrupts pull or trap blocks with speed and quickness
Negatives
- Doesn't possess ideal length - leads to a few missed tackles
- Only spent one year as a starter in college
- Can be reckless and undisciplined in his gap when firing off the line
- Can lose track of the ball carrier in the backfield - sometimes only focused on getting past blocks
Bottom line
Though he isn't getting as much attention as some of his peers, we believe Elliott has the tools to succeed as a high-level pass-rusher and run defender. His height and length fall short of what most clubs desire at the position, but the former Tiger was a consistent producer last season despite his physical limitations. Once he learns how to use his eyes more efficiently, Elliott could develop into a starting-caliber one-gap interior rusher in a 4-3 base defense and impact every phase of the game.
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