To get a better look at the Detroit Lions undrafted free agent safety Jalen Elliott, let’s take a look at how draft analysts evaluated him in their 2020 NFL Draft guides and website profiles.
The Athletic
Evaluator: Dane Brugler’s “The Beast”
“A three-year starter at Notre Dame, Elliott lined up at free safety in Clark Lea’s hybrid 4-3 scheme. A high school quarterback, he developed into a durable starter on defense for the Irish, although his senior season didn’t live up to the promise he showed as a junior (played better during Senior Bowl practices). Elliott is quicker than fast with the balance in his transition to redirect to cover tight ends or chase ball carriers in pursuit. However, he looks like a fish out of water in man coverage, lacking the anticipation or burst to be a playmaker. Overall, Elliott has high-level intangibles and flashes NFL skill, but the consistency (especially in coverage) isn’t there, lacking a distinguishing trait that will stand out during camp next to NFL-level players.”
NFL.com
“Elliott has good size and average straight-line speed, but he’s lacking as an open-field tackler and simply doesn’t make enough plays. His 2018 tape might be a better snapshot of his abilities, but even in that tape, it’s clear that he has coverage limitations in man or zone. He has below-average awareness and instincts that pull him out of position. Lacks necessary tools for consistent recovery. He has good size and may test well, which, along with his special teams potential, gives him a shot to make a roster.”
Pro Football Focus
“Elliott came into 2019 riding the high of a 2018 season that saw a number of Notre Dame defenders grade out excellently. He showed some of the best ball skills of any safety in the nation back in 2018. With his length and physicality, that should be a skill that translates immediately to the NFL. Unfortunately, that’s only a small portion of the safety position. He has far too many reps where he’s stumbling all over himself on the back end leading to big plays. The fluidity simply isn’t there and a change of positions could feasibly be in Elliott’s future.”
The Draft Network
“Jalen Elliott projects as a bottom of the roster depth safety who will have the opportunity to find an impact as a special teams contributor thanks to his tackling ability and requisite long speed. Elliott is somewhat athletically limited and will likely struggle to command reps in deep coverages — instead he can serve as a coverage defender on the kick teams and look to put his tackling prowess to use there. Defensive reps are best served in shallow spaces, avoid him in deep coverage.”