Tag: Jalen Elliott

Who did the Colts take in Draft Wire’s latest 7-round mock draft?

Colts go offense early in Draft Wire’s latest mock draft.

The new league year is still on schedule to begin next week as of now, but much of the focus is still on the upcoming 2020 NFL draft and what the Indianapolis Colts might do with their eight selections.

With the compensatory picks now officially in the draft order, the Colts now know exactly where they are going to be selecting from—barring a trade to add more picks. Our friends over at Draft Wire conducted a full, seven-round mock draft with the new order.

Here’s a look at how it turned out:

13. Indianapolis Colts | Jordan Love | QB | Utah State

One of the favorite choices for the Colts at No. 13. Though the range of outcomes for Love’s career is certainly something to keep in mind for this pick, the ceiling might just be enough to entice Chris Ballard. If he’s more of the quarterback from 2018 than from 2019, the Colts could have their future quarterback right here.

34. (from WAS) | Laviska Shenault, Jr. | WR | Colorado

Needing to add to the wide receiver room, there is a chance the Colts double-dip this offseason. Though free agency is essentially unpredictable, Shenault Jr. has a high ceiling and even though he had surgery to repair a core muscle injury following the combine, he’s likely still on track to be a Day 2 pick. Shenault Jr. has a prototypical X-receiver build and playmaking ability to back it up.

44. | Raekwon Davis | DL | Alabama

The defenisve tackle position is arguably the biggest need for the Colts this offseason. They should be expected to be a major player both in free agency and in the draft. Davis is interesting because his ceiling is so high, but there have been questions about his “loafing” and the fact that his production declined steadily over the last three seasons. The talent is there but tapping into it could be difficult.

75. | Cameron Dantzler | CB | Mississippi State

Cornerback isn’t a huge need for the Colts but it is an area they are likely to address. Pierre Desir had a down year and will be looking to bounce back while Rock Ya-Sin enters a promising Year 2 and Kenny Moore has become one of the top slot cornerbacks in the league. Dantzler would be competing for a spot on the boundary likely with Desir.

122. | Jason Strowbridge | EDGE | North Carolina

Some view Strowbridge as an EDGE prospect while others see him working more on the interior. He’s likely to do both at the next level and is a prospect the Colts could target as a developmental piece. He has solid agility testing in the 74th percentile in the 20-yard shuttle and would be a project for the Colts to compete in the rotation.

160. | Michael Onwenu | OL | Michigan

Onwenu’s strength and arm length are intriguing enough for the Colts to take a look on Day 3 but it isn’t clear if teams would want him to work on the interior rather than the edge. At 6-foot-3 and 344 pounds, that might be the move. He would be a developmental piece along an offensive line that sorely needs depth.

193. | Jalen Elliott | S | Notre Dame

Safety isn’t that much of a need but with Clayton Geathers likely hitting free agency, the Colts do have a spot open for that fourth safety role. He tested pretty well at the combine and would be competing for a roster spot. Special teams would be huge for him.

227. (from MIA) | Tyrie Cleveland | WR | Florida

This mock was done before it was known the Colts now have the No. 197 pick instead of No. 227. But it has been well-documented that Cleveland is a great choice for the Colts regardless. He’s extremely explosive, athletic and has the size to work both on the outside and in the slot. As Ballard targets high-upside players on Day 3, Cleveland should be at the top of the list.

Meet Jalen Elliott, the vocal leader of the Notre Dame defense

Check out Draft Wire’s exclusive interview with Notre Dame safety Jalen Elliott

Every NFL team wants a leader on the back end of their defense who commands respect, and a versatile presence who can make plays at every level of the field.

Notre Dame’s Jalen Elliott checks both of those boxes.

A complete player who knows how to rally a unit to victory, Elliott recently spoke exclusively with Draft Wire about the benefits of playing for a top college program, why his versatility will set him apart at the next level, and more.

JM: How would you describe your skill set?

JE: I think I’m pretty versatile when it comes to playing on the defensive side of the ball. I have the ability to shut down the middle of the field. If you watched me this past year, that’s where I played the majority of my snaps. I’m also able to come downhill and cover tight ends or even the slot receiver. I enjoyed showing my versatility throughout the season. I have the range to take things away on the back-end and I can step up to the line of scrimmage and cover man-to-man as well.

JM: You’re extremely versatile, playing multiple positions and roles for that Notre Dame defense. Is there one position that fits you best at the next level?

JE: I wouldn’t say that there’s one that fits me best. I’m probably most comfortable playing in the post because that’s where I played the majority of my snaps. I love to take that deep route away. That’s where I was most of the time. I’m comfortable playing multiple positions however. I enjoy showcasing my versatility.

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JM: What’s your favorite part about playing in the defensive backfield?

JE: You can play the game with a lot of emotion. I think that’s huge for me. I’m a guy that’s very vocal on the field. Being somebody that plays the game that way, I’ve always enjoyed watching the vocal players. Growing up, my favorite players were the loud ones (laughs). I love showing that raw emotion. I’m a passionate guy and that’s how I play the game. I love that you can do that at defensive back and not get scrutinized for it. I don’t think you can play that way at any other position really.

JM: Playing at Notre Dame afforded you the opportunity to play against some of the best competition college football has to offer. Who are some of the best players you’ve had to go up against?

JE: You said it, man. I’ve played against a lot of great talent. Somebody that stuck out to me my freshmen year was a guy named Adoree’ Jackson. That was early on in my career. He played at USC, and he plays for the Tennessee Titans now. He scored on us three times in three different ways (laughs). That was pretty amazing to watch. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever played against. More recently, I played against Georgia running back D’Andre Swift this year. He’s a great, versatile running back. He makes big plays for his team. Playing at Notre Dame, you’re gonna play against great competition on a weekly basis. Those are just a couple of guys I squared off with that were very talented.

JM: You’ve had so many great teammates throughout your time at Notre Dame, but I’m gonna put you on the spot a little bit. If you were going into battle tomorrow and could only bring one with you, who would you bring and why?

JE: I’m gonna go with my safety brother, Alohi Gilman. We were the vocal leaders of our defense. We were sorta tasked with passing down the messages from our defensive coordinator to the rest of the defense. That’s how much trust they put in us. I know that he’s gonna go to battle with me. We’d go to war together in a heartbeat. That’s just a guy that I love to play the game with.

Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports

JM: If there was one NFL quarterback you could intercept, who would it be and why?

JE: That’s a great question. Wow, that’s tough. I would have to say Tom Brady. He’s arguably the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. That would be a memory that I could forever cherish. You tell your grand-kids about the time you picked off Tom Brady (laughs). He’s the GOAT. He said he’s coming back to play a few more years. Hopefully I’ll get that opportunity.

JM: Going back to your versatility, I’m curious as to what you enjoy more, coming downhill and playing the run game or dropping back into coverage?

JE: It’s kinda funny because I can’t limit myself to just one of those. I get great pleasure from doing both. Coming downhill and making a sure tackle is just as fun as playing great coverage on the back-end to me. Whether that’s a slot receiver or a tight end, I love it all. I get pleasure from doing both although it’s a different feeling.

JM: What kind of impact is Jalen Elliott gonna make at the next level?

JE: Jalen Elliott is gonna be a guy that’s gonna come in ready to learn. I’m gonna continue to be versatile and put the work in. Whatever weakness people say I have, that’s exactly what I’m gonna work on until it becomes a strength.

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8 Notre Dame Players Listed in Matt Miller’s Full Mock Draft

Time will tell but recent trends in some of the most-respected draft analysts mock drafts have had fewer and fewer former Fighting Irish going in round one.

April 23 will bring the start of the 2020 NFL Draft, this year being held in Las Vegas as part of the NFL’s celebration of bringing the league to Vegas with the Raiders.

How many Notre Dame players will we see drafted in those three days?  Time will tell but recent trends in some of the most-respected draft analysts mock drafts have had fewer and fewer former Fighting Irish going in round one.

Matt Miller from Bleacher Report released his full seven round mock draft this weekend and had eight different Notre Dame players getting selected.  Now who were they and where did he have them going?

R1 – 30:  Cole Kmet, TE, Green Bay Packers
R2 – 54:  Julian Okwara, Edge Rusher, Buffalo Bills
R3 – 75:  Khalid Kareem, Edge Rusher, Indianapolis Colts
R3 – 94:  Chase Claypool, WR, Green Bay Packers
R4 – 145:  Troy Pride, Jr., CB, Baltimore Ravens
R5 – 153:  Jalen Elliott, S, Arizona Cardinals
R6 – 196:  Alohi Gilman, S, New England Patriots
R7 – 241:  Tony Jones, Jr., RB, Miami Dolphins

A few thoughts on this one:

First off, as a Chicago Bears fan I despise the idea of both Kmet and Claypool going to Green Bay.  Jimmy Graham is washed up at tight end while aside from Davante Adams, there aren’t many options for Aaron Rodgers to throw to.  Kmet and Claypool fix that issue, especially when you factor in the ridiciulous depth of talent at wide receiver in this draft being the only reason Claypool would be a fourth round pick.

Okwara not only not in the first round but really not sniffing the first round.  It certainly is starting to seem like it’s going to be Kmet or bust for that first round.

Troy Pride, Jr. as a fourth round pick by the Ravens feels like the kind of Ravens defensive pick that you see, don’t think a ton about initally and then you look up six years later and he’s still a mainstay on that defense.

Alohi Gilman as a reserve safety and special teams player for the Patriots seems like the most Bill Belichick sixth round draft pick ever…well, besides that Brady guy.

Tony Jones, Jr. gets selected in this one.  I know the All-Star games don’t carry nearly the weight as the practices before them do but he had a rather weak showing a few weeks back in Tampa and I’ll be pleasantly surprised if his name is called and he’s not an undrafted free agent.

How to Watch the 2020 Senior Bowl Featuring Four Former Notre Dame Stars

Care to watch Chase Claypool, Jalen Elliott, Alohi Gilman or Troy Pride, Jr. one more time in their iconic Notre Dame helmets?

Care to watch Chase Claypool, Jalen Elliott, Alohi Gilman or Troy Pride, Jr. one more time in their iconic Notre Dame helmets?

Saturday afternoon is your chance as all four will be participating in the annual Reese’s Senior Bowl that we’ve kept an eye on for you all week long.

The Senior Bowl kicks off at 2:30 pm E.T. from Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile, Alabama and can be seen on NFL Network.

Zac Taylor of the Cincinnati Bengals will be the head coach for the North team while Matt Patricia of the Detroit Lions will coach the South.

Earlier this week each Claypool, Elliott and Pride had impressive showings at their respective positions.

The Cincinnati Bengals hold the first pick in the 2020 NFL Draft but their most likely selection, Joe Burrow of LSU, will not be in attendance.

Former Notre Dame Safety Wins “DB of the Week” at Senior Bowl

it was a different former Notre Dame defensive back that walked out with the “DB of the Week” award for the North team.

If you’ve been paying attention to the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama this week you’ve heard a ton about how former Notre Dame cornerback Troy Pride, Jr. has wowed the masses and elevated his draft stock.

That may all be fine and true but it was a different former Notre Dame defensive back that walked out with the “DB of the Week” award for the North team.

It instead went to Jalen Elliott who was voted the winner by the the north teams wide receivers that he spent all week practicing against.

I think the key takeaway here is it’s voted on my those that played against him which is the best way to decide.

“Hey, who was the guy you absolutely didn’t want to see across from you this week?”

Seems like a logical way to pick a winner and can only mean good things for Elliott as he tries to raise his stock before April’s NFL Draft.

The 2020 Senior Bowl kicks off at 2:30 pm E.T. in Mobile, Alabama and can be seen on NFL Network.

Four Former Notre Dame Football Stars Weigh In at Senior Bowl

who doesn’t love the Senior Bowl or eventually the combine where you hear more about arm length, hand size and wingspan than you do about actual football ability.

It’s that time of year again where men around the age of 21 or so get parades around in the tightest fitting workout clothes imaginable to show that they’ve got the physique to play in the NFL.

Ah, who doesn’t love the Senior Bowl or eventually the combine where you hear more about arm length, hand size and wingspan than you do about actual football ability.

Just like recruiting is to college teams to being successful the attention to detail at these events can be what separates great draft classes from the awful ones for the 32 NFL teams.

With that in mind – four Notre Dame players from the 2019 squad took part in Tuesday’s weigh-ins at the annual Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. Here’s how they measured out:

Chase Claypool, WR: 6-4.3″, 229 pounds, Arms – 33 1/8″, Hands – 10″, Wingspan – 80″

Jalen Elliott, S: 6-0.4″, 205 pounds, Arms – 32″, Hands – 9 1/8″, Wingspan – 76 5/8″

Alohi Gilman, S: 5-10.5″, 202 pounds, Arms – 31 5/8″, Hands – 9″, Wingspan – 73 3/8″

Troy Pride, Jr., CB: 5-11.3″, 193 pounds, Arms – 31 3/8″, Hands – 8 3/8″, Wingspan – 73 3/4″

Weigh-in information courtesy of Pro Football Network.

Be sure to stay with us throughout the week if you’re interested in the NFL Draft stock of these four. We’ll be following news and reports out of Mobile all week and will break down anything that happens to the four participating Fighting Irish.

Notre Dame’s Alohi Gilman Added to Senior Bowl

New Year’s Day brought news that Gilman will wear his gold helmet one more time for the public to see, that coming in the Reese’s Senior Bowl later this month.

Earlier this week safety Alohi Gilman made it known he’d be leaving Notre Dame before using all his eligibility and entering the NFL Draft.

Gilman was undoubtedly a fan-favorite for the Fighting Irish but also an impressive leader.  If you’re into that kind of thing I shared my three favorite memories of his two-year playing career with the Fighting Irish after he announced his decision.

New Year’s Day brought news that Gilman will wear his gold helmet one more time for the public to see, that coming in the Reese’s Senior Bowl later this month.

Gilman becomes the fifth Notre Dame player participating in this year’s Senior Bowl, joining Chase Claypool, Jalen Elliott, Khalid Kareem and Troy Pride, Jr.

The annual Reese’s Senior Bowl takes place on Sunday, January 25 this year and can be seen live on NFL Network that day starting at 2:30 pm E.T.

Notre Dame Captain Headed to Senior Bowl

The Reese’s Senior Bowl announced Tuesday night that senior-captain, safety Jalen Elliott will participate in the 2020 Senior Bowl at the conclusion of this college football season. We are proud to announce @NDFootball DB Jalen Elliott ( @Jae_Uno_) …

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The Reese’s Senior Bowl announced Tuesday night that senior-captain, safety Jalen Elliott will participate in the 2020 Senior Bowl at the conclusion of this college football season.

Elliott has started all nine games this season and recorded 35 tackles along the way while also picking off a pass against New Mexico and Bowling Green, both.  He also intercepted four passes during Notre Dame’s 12-0 regular season in 2018.

The Lloyd C. Bird High School (Virginia) product was recruited as a three-star safety in the 2016 class and has appeared in all 47 Notre Dame games since stepping foot on campus for the first time as a student-athlete back in 2016.

He will undoubtedly be missed next year, although Kyle Hamilton’s start and Isaiah Pryor’s recent commitment makes you feel pretty good about where the safety position will be headed into 2020.