Tag: DeShon Elliott

4 things to know about Dolphins safety DeShon Elliott

Get to know the newest safety.

The Miami Dolphins have vastly improved their defense in the first week or so of the new league year, as they’ve acquired cornerback Jalen Ramsey, linebackers David Long and Malik Reed as well as safety DeShon Elliott.

In Vic Fangio’s defense, one that relies heavily on safeties and versatility, Elliott’s arrival could end up being one of the bigger moves of the offseason.

However, before he steps on the field for the first time in aqua and orange, Dolphins fans should get to know their newest defensive back.

Analyzing terms of new Dolphins DB DeShon Elliott’s contract

It’s not an expensive deal.

After a season that was marred by injuries and poor play on the defensive side of the ball, the Miami Dolphins have done a number of things to address the issues that plagued the unit.

One of those moves was signing former Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens safety DeShon Elliott to join a position group that also includes rising star Jevon Holland and former third-round pick Brandon Jones.

According to Over the Cap, Elliott and the Dolphins agreed to a one-year deal that will pay him $1.77 million. The safety will make $1.08 million in a base salary, which is fully guaranteed. He will also earn $690,000 in the form of a signing bonus. He has no workout or roster bonuses.

With this only being a one-year contract and all of the money is guaranteed, Elliott is essentially a lock to make the roster in 2023. They’ll save nothing by releasing him.

The safety market was surprisingly soft this offseason and, because of that, the Dolphins got a great deal on a player who will play meaningful snaps for Vic Fangio’s unit this season.

If he does well, he can parlay that into another contract the following year whether that be in Miami or somewhere else.

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Best photos of new Dolphins DB DeShon Elliott

Miami targeted the safety as someone who can really help the defense.

The Miami Dolphins made a number of impactful signings during the first hours of the new league year, including bringing in former Baltimore Ravens and Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott.

Elliott will play a pivotal role in new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s defense, as he tends to use many safeties on the field at the same time.

This will make life easier for two of the top cornerbacks in the game in Jalen Ramsey and Xavien Howard, as they’ll have help over the top from Jevon Holland, Brando Jones and Elliott at times.

Before Elliott takes the field for the first time as a Dolphin, here are some of the best images from his seasons prior to joining Mike McDaniel’s team.

Potential replacements for DeShon Elliott at safety in Detroit

Potential replacements for DeShon Elliott at safety now that he’s left the Lions for the Dolphins in free agency

Detroit Lions safety DeShon Elliott is the first of the team’s free agents to sign to a new team.

Elliott has reportedly agreed to terms with the Miami Dolphins on a one-year deal. This departure leaves a hole at the safety position for the Lions.

With options in-house, plenty of free agents available, and the draft coming up, the Lions have plenty of routes that they can go to address this area of need.

On the roster, Detroit currently has Tracy Walker and Kerby Joseph penciled in as starters. While this is passable for most teams, Detroit does tend to operate in three-safety sets. This means they will need to find one more capable safety to take significant snaps on defense.

There are two available options under contract at the moment: Ifeatu Melifonwu and Brady Breeze.

Melifonwu was a third-round pick in 2021 who converted from cornerback to safety after his rookie year.

He appeared in 10 games in 2022 and had one start at safety in place of Elliott. His coverage skills leave much to be desired, but he is a physical tackler and much better suited against the run.

Breeze was also a 2021 draft pick, but by the Tennessee Titans. He has been with the Lions on and off since December of that season. He has appeared in six games over the past two seasons for Detroit, recording six tackles. While there isn’t much film on him, Breeze has stuck around long enough that the coaches must see something of value in him.

There are plenty of free-agent options available as well.

As Detroit doesn’t need a true starter, they won’t need to look for the top safety talent in the free-agent pool.

One name to watch is safety Nick Scott. Scott was a draft pick by the Rams back when general manager Brad Holmes was still with that organization. He became a full-time starter in 2022 and had a decent season with 86 tackles and a pair of interceptions.

With the way he’d be used in Detroit, he’d still get plenty of playing time on defense. With that said, his price tag would come in the $3 to $4 million range.

One other option at safety is P.J. Locke, formerly of the Denver Broncos. Locke is a versatile player who can line up at both free and strong safety while also being able to play in the slot as a nickel or dime defender. He played a small role in Denver’s defense and mainly took the field on special teams snaps, but he’d be available to the Lions on a very cheap deal.

If Detroit doesn’t want to use one of their rostered players or go out and sign a safety, there are still some options to look for in the draft.

Alabama’s Brian Branch is one potential player who could be selected with the 18th overall draft pick. Another player who has been garnering some attention lately is Illinois safety Sydney Brown. Brown is projected to go around the third round and could learn the ropes of Detroit’s defense in that third safety role.

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Longhorns in NFL: DeShon Elliott signs with Miami, other notable moves

DeShon Elliott, Andrew Beck and other former Longhorns have made moves this offseason.

Several former Longhorns have signed with new NFL teams this offseason. Continue reading “Longhorns in NFL: DeShon Elliott signs with Miami, other notable moves”

Dolphins to sign S DeShon Elliott

Miami adds a third safety.

With the start of the league year officially underway, the Miami Dolphins can legally talk to players and agree to contracts.

Wednesday afternoon, the Dolphins addressed one of their needs, signing safety DeShon Elliott, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Elliott, 25, was a sixth-round pick of the Baltimore Ravens back in 2018 after a collegiate career at Texas. Following the completion of his rookie contract, he signed a one-year deal with the Detroit Lions last offseason.

In 14 games in 2022, the former Longhorn recorded 96 tackles, three passes defended and one forced fumble.

Elliott should fit in well in new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme, which utilizes threw safeties frequently. He’ll likely take snaps that once belonged to Eric Rowe, as Elliott will take the field alongside Jevon Holland and Brandon Jones.

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Report: Safety DeShon Elliott to sign with the Miami Dolphins

Elliott is set to sign with the Miami Dolphins after one season with the Lions

It’s been a quiet start to the free agency market for players from the 2022 Detroit Lions. None agreed to sign anywhere else during the legal tampering period.

Now that the new league year has started and players are free to sign anywhere they choose, that has changed. Starting safety DeShon Elliott has agreed to sign with the Miami Dolphins, according to a report from Ian Rapoport.

Elliott played one season with the Lions and played well. He started 13 games and notched 96 total tackles. Elliott, 25, also picked off one pass for Detroit after coming over as a free agent on a prove-it deal after three injury-riddled seasons with the Baltimore Ravens.

The price tag was not high, per Jordan Schultz. Just $1.77 million for one season for Elliott to jump to Miami.

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Multiple former Ravens players detail horror stories from team’s strength staff

Former Ravens players weighed in on the F- grade that the strength coaches got in the NFLPA Survey

The NFLPA put out a survey of players grading their respective NFL Teams with a list of eight categories that can be given a grad of a through. When it came down to the category of strength coaches, the Baltimore Ravens got an F- grade. It wasn’t surprising at first with the amount of injuries the team has sustained in the last couple of years.

After the grade was put out, things got interesting as many former Ravens players came out and detailed their horror stories that came at the hands of the team’s strength staff. Former players such as Carl Davis, Derek Wolfe, Quincy Adeboyejo and others came forward about their experiences.

In another tweet from 2021, former Ravens outside Matthew Judon responded to a tweet from former Baltimore safety DeShon Elliott’s about being out for the season with a “Fire Steve” hashtag.

The Baltimore Ravens have made staff changes that include firing head strength and conditioning coach Steve Saunders, so hopefully that F- grade will change soon enough.

4 Lions free agents the team must re-sign

4 Lions free agents the team must re-sign in 2023

There are 18 players who ended the 2022 season as Detroit Lions who will become unrestricted free agents once the league year ends. Many of them played key roles in the team’s 9-8 finish, the first winning season for the Lions since 2017.

Figuring out which ones to keep and how much to value them, both intrinsically and monetarily, is one of the many key decisions for Lions GM Brad Holmes and his staff.

Here are four pending free agents the Lions need to bring back at any (realistic) cost:

Lions final injury report for Week 18: Okudah, Ragnow among 5 Detroit players questionable

Lions final injury report for Week 18: Jeff Okudah, Frank Ragnow among 5 Detroit players questionable

The final Detroit Lions injury report for the 2022 regular season is out now. And it’s a positive report overall, with just one player ruled out due to injury for Sunday night’s matchup with the Packers in Green Bay.

Reserve offensive lineman Kayode Awosika will miss his fourth straight game with an ankle injury. He is the only player ruled out. Several key performers are questionable, however.

Jeff Okudah

Most notable is starting CB Jeff Okudah, who popped up on Friday’s report with an elbow injury that was not noted earlier in the week. Okudah has played a more limited role in the last two games but the Lions depth at cornerback will be severely strained if Okudah cannot play. Mike Hughes has split time with Okudah at outside CB in the past two weeks and figures to get the nod if Okudah can’t go.

Frank Ragnow

The starting center is once again listed as questionable. As has been his custom for nearly all of the season, Ragnow did not practice on Wednesday or Thursday and was a limited participant on Friday with his foot injury. It would be very surprising if the Pro Bowler doesn’t play in Green Bay.

DeShon Elliott

Elliott was limited in practices all week with a shoulder injury that has kept him out of the last two games. But the starting safety is expected to play. Head coach Dan Campbell made it clear that Elliott would play barring any unforeseen setbacks in Friday’s practice.

The rest

Fullback Jason Cabinda and defensive lineman Michael Brockers are also questionable. Brockers is a healthy scratch most weeks so his status is largely inconsequential. Cabinda is dealing with a knee injury.

Two players who missed practice time this week but carry no injury designation for the Week 18 game: RG Evan Brown and RB Justin Jackson.

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