Tag: Jordan Elliott

Touchdown Wire’s 2020 NFL Draft rankings: Top 25 defensive players

Jeff Okudah of Ohio State leads a deep draft class of defensive backs. Xavier McKinney, Antoine Winfield and Trevon Diggs aren’t far behind.

With the 2020 NFL Draft fast approaching, it is time to start finalizing draft boards. Not just for NFL teams, but for the team here at Touchdown Wire. Here is Touchdown Wire’s list of the top 25 defensive prospects in the 2020 draft class.

1. Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State

(AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)

If there’s one thing NFL teams need more than anything else on defense right now, it’s the prototypical lockdown cornerback who can take an opponent’s No. 1 receiver through any route in any coverage. Of the cornerbacks in this draft class, Okudah is the one who raises no questions regarding his ability to do so. After playing 70% of his snaps in man coverage in 2018, per Sports Info Solutions, Okudah dipped down to 54% man coverage last season, upped his zone percentage and still allowed just 21 catches on 54 targets for 280 yards, three interceptions, one touchdown, and an opponent passer rating of 46.8. There may be more physically talented players in this class, but outside of the top quarterbacks, none are more positionally important.

2. Isaiah Simmons, Defense, Clemson

(John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports)

In his 2019 season, per Pro Football Focus, Simmons played 299 snaps in the box, 262 snaps at slot cornerback, 132 snaps at free safety and 116 snaps at defensive line. The 6-foot-4, 225-pound Simmons also played 13 snaps at outside corner, to make his versatility even more impressive. Asked at the scouting combing what his position was, Simmons simply responded, “Defense.” In the modern NFL, a player who can do everything from blitzing, to taking on the run game as a linebacker, to coverage as a slot defender and safety, is of prime value as defenses move to nickel and dime defenses as their base.

3. Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

(Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports)

Young has often been compared to fellow Ohio State alums Joey and Nick Bosa, and from a traits perspective, those are pretty good matches. In 2019, Young put up 16.5 sacks, 21 tackles for loss, seven quarterback hits and 31 quarterback hurries. And if you’re concerned about his getting shut out in sacks through his last three college games, a cursory look at the tape will tell you that he still had a massive effect on opposing offenses.

4. Javon Kinlaw, DT, South Carolina

(AP Photo/Sean Rayford)

At 6 feet 6 and 302 pounds, Kinlaw fits the physical profile of the ideal multi-gap defensive lineman who can get nasty everywhere from over the center to outside the offensive tackles. In 2019, he raised his sack total from four in 2018 to six in his final college season, adding seven quarterback hits and 28 quarterback hurries. Perhaps the most impressive thing about Kinlaw’s potential is that he’s turned himself into a wrecking machine without the benefit of advanced hand technique. Once he reaps the benefits of NFL-level coaching, he projects well as an All-Pro-level disruptor.

5. Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

(John Reed-USA TODAY Sports)

Brown’s relatively weak combine performance might debit him in the eyes of those who haven’t studied his tape. Similarly, his total of 12.5 sacks over four seasons at Auburn could push him under other defenders in your mind if you’re just box-score scouting. But when you watch Brown do his thing on the field, the perspective is entirely different. At 6-5 and 326 pounds, Brown had 10 quarterback hits and 20 quarterback hurries in 2019, adding four batted passes and two forced fumbles to his statistical arsenal. Brown is an ideal three-down defender who can stop the run as well as he can blast through double teams.

6. Xavier McKinney, DB, Alabama

(Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports)

Multi-positional defensive backs are all the rage in today’s NFL, and Nick Saban has been grooming them at Alabama for a while. Minkah Fitzpatrick of the Steelers was an early part of paradigm, and McKinney is ready to follow in Fitzpatrick’s footsteps. Last season, per Pro Football Focus, McKinney played 285 snaps in the box, 271 snaps at free safety and 227 snaps in the slot. The 6-1, 200-pound McKinney also played 38 snaps on the defensive line and five snaps at outside corner. Playing all those positions, he allowed an opponent passer rating of 73.6 and came away with three interceptions, as well as 21 total pressures in just 71 pass-rushing snaps. If you can’t get Isaiah Simmons in your 2020 draft because he goes too early, McKinney is more than an acceptable substitute.

7. Patrick Queen, LB, LSU

(Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports)

In 2019, Queen established himself as one of the linchpins of the Tigers’ championship defense after lining up for just 255 total snaps in his first two collegiate seasons. The 6-foot, 229-pound first-year starter proved to be the model of the modern linebacker when he finally got his shot, playing 780 snaps in 2019 and showing the ability to excel everywhere from the box to the slot to the occasional go at outside cornerback. More impressively for Queen’s NFL future is his ability to face up against top running backs and make stops when stops are needed. Not every light linebacker can do that, and once Queen gets the hang of the intricacies of coverage (especially zone coverage), he could be one of the NFL’s best three-down linebackers.

8. Antoine Winfield Jr., S, Minnesota

(Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports)

Winfield missed all but a total of eight games in his 2017 and 2018 seasons due to injuries, but he came back with a full head of steam in 2019, picking off seven passes and giving up just 11 catches on 22 targets and an opponent passer rating of 45.5. A healthy Winfield has all the athleticism and range you’d want in a deep-third safety, but what really makes him the best in this class at that particular designation is his ability to read offenses and coverages on the fly — as he detailed to me in a recent film session, he learned a lot from his father, who played cornerback for the Bills and Vikings from 1999 through 2012.

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Browns 2020 NFL draft: A defensive tackle for every round

Cleveland Browns 2020 NFL draft: A defensive tackle prospect for every round

Next up in the series recommending a player for each of the seven rounds of the 2020 NFL Draft at a particular position group for the Cleveland Browns: defensive tackle.

It’s a definite need for Cleveland, though not necessarily an urgent one. Sheldon Richardson is a great starting point and played well in his first season with the Browns. Newcomer Andrew Billings is an ascending talent at nose tackle, while enigmatic Larry Ogunjobi enters his contract year.

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Who fits best for what new defensive coordinator Joe Woods might want up front in Cleveland? Here is a defensive tackle prospect for each and every round in the draft who could make the Browns better on the line.

First round: Javon Kinlaw

Kinlaw leaped into the national consciousness by almost singlehandedly leading the South Carolina Gamecocks to upset the heavily favored Georgia Bulldogs last fall. It was the most impressive single-game performance by any player I watched all year.

Kinlaw is a physical freak who has worked hard at remaking his body and getting both quicker and stronger. He’s too fast for interior blockers when he gets the initial jump, and his swim, rip and up-and-under moves are polished already. There is some bust potential but also very high-end impact ability right away.

If the Browns somehow don’t take an offensive tackle in the first round, Kinlaw would be my No. 1 choice at No. 10.

Second round: Justin Madubuike

Madubuike posted just modest production in the last two seasons at Texas A&M (5.5 sacks both years), but he’s a player whose impact goes beyond the box score. He’s a quick gap-shooting 3-tech who wins with fast hands and feet and natural leverage. Madubuike is light at about 290 pounds, but he’s functionally strong and uses his lither build effectively to winnow past big blockers. He’s also quite good at chasing down mobile QBs and stretch runs.

The biggest wart with Madubuike is his overeager nature on the field. He runs himself out of the hole in the run game and will get pushed too far upfield on his rush at times, too. Those are problematic but coachable issues.

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Top DT prospects for the Steelers in the 2020 NFL Draft

Who will replace Javon Hargrave? These defensive tackles are projected to be available second-to-mid rounds

With the departure of defensive tackle Javon Hargrave via free agency, expect the Pittsburgh Steelers to select his replacement in the second-to-mid rounds.

Here are the top DTs projected to be available:

Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports

Raekwon Davis | Alabama

Height: 6-6          Weight: 316

As a reserve in his freshman year, Davis contributed four tackles and one sack. He became a playmaker as a sophomore by posting 69 tackles, 10 for loss, and a team-high 8.5 sacks in 14 games (six starts), which earned him first-team All-SEC honors. During Alabama’s title run that year, Davis had 10 tackles, two sacks, and an INT in the team’s two playoff wins. His production dropped off his junior and senior seasons.

Davis compiled 67 solo tackles, 108 assists, 19.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, one INT, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery during his career at Alabama.

Davis is a versatile run defender who can play DT or NT versus the run. With excellent strength and power, he is tough to move off the ball. He completely controls his run lane in either 1-gap or 2-gap situations. The more Davis played his last two seasons, his effectiveness as a pass-rusher diminished; he was better when he was fresh and played fewer reps.

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2020 NFL draft: Jordan Elliott scouting report

Everything NFL draft fans need to know about Missouri defensive line prospect Jordan Elliott

Jordan Elliott | DL | Missouri

Elevator Pitch

Elliott is a lengthy defender who has value as both a run defender and as a pass-rusher along the interior. His technique is a bit raw, but he brings good athleticism, quick hands and a high motor for the defensive line position. He has the potential to step into a starting role as a late Day 2 selection.

Vitals

Height | 6-4

Weight | 302

College Bio Page

Career Stats

Strengths

Elliott has some developing to do, but his ceiling is palpable when you watch his tape.

The Texas transfer had his first season in Mizzou’s starting lineup in 2019 after sitting on the bench in 2018 and redshirting in 2017, and he made the most of the opportunity. Elliott showcased plenty of value against the run, playing with plenty of play strength in both his lower body and his hands. He plays with a high motor and does a good job of churning his legs through contact to drive his opponents back. He does a good job of eating up gaps, holding up blocks and clogging lanes to give opposing ball carriers nowhere to go.

In addition to his gap-eating abilities, Elliott has also proven to be a quality gap penetrator. He has good athletic ability for the interior defensive line: when he times his jumps off the ball well, he has the slipperiness to dip past interior blockers and utilize his flexibility to wreck havoc. His frame offers plenty to be impressed with, as he has good length and an overall chiseled physique.

Weaknesses

Given that Elliott only started for one season in college, it’s no surprise that he’s still a bit raw in some areas. One of those areas is in his pad level: although he’s flexible, he doesn’t always sink his hips at the point of attack to maintain pad leverage and generate more power than he already does. His hand placement could be a bit more consistent, though he has shown some flashes in that regard.

Elliott’s solid athleticism gives him some value rushing the passer, but he can do a better job of having a concrete plan when doing so. He can look lost at times and can do better at stringing together moves so that if his first technique doesn’t work, he has a counter move in his back pocket to work with. His pass-rushing production isn’t all that impressive either, as he didn’t have more than three sacks in a single season.

Projection: 3rd Round

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2020 NFL Draft: 4 defensive tackles Chargers should consider

Chargers Wire lists four potential replacement for Brandon Mebane in the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Chargers released Brandon Mebane on Friday, which means that there will be another hole to fill this offseason. While they could go with finding one in free agency, they could elect to go with addressing the position in the draft.

With that being said, we have listed four defensive tackles that Los Angeles could be giving a hard look, primarily in the mid to late rounds in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Jordan Elliott, Missouri

Elliott played two seasons at Missouri after transferring from Texas following the 2016 season. In his final season with the Tigers, Elliott posted 31 solo tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The 6-foot-3 and 303 pounder primarily lined up as a three-technique in Missouri’s defense, but he has the versatility to line up across from the center.  Elliott has the play strength, hand usage and quickness to make his presence known. He needs to develop a better game-plan as a pass-rusher, but how impressive he is against the run should garner the Chargers attention.

Leki Fotu, Utah

Used primarily at the one-technique, Fotu played in 45 career games for the Utes. For his efforts, he earned first team All-Pac-12 honors in 2018 and 2019. He finished his collegiate career with 82 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, four sacks and three passes defensed. Fotu, the 6-foot-5 and 330 pounder has wide hips, meaty thighs and proportionate body thickness. For someone of his size, he has rare movement skills is rangy. He is at his best taking up space by taking on double teams and holding the line of scrimmage. Fotu wins with sheer upper body strength strength and hand usage to make his presence in his backfield. Even though his pass-rushing skills are a work in progress, he is capable of being a solid run defender in Year 1.

Davon Hamilton, Ohio State

After three years as a rotational piece, Hamilton emerged as a starter for the Buckeyes as a senior in 2019, managing 28 total tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and six sacks. His six sacks were second only to top draft selection, defensive end Chase Young. The 6-foot-4 and 310 pound Hamilton excels at his job and that’s to take on double teams to allow other members from the front seven to roam freely. Along with the strength and balance against double teams, he has the first-step explosion and hands to disrupt the backfield.

Bravvion Roy, Baylor

Roy played in 48 games, starting 29 for the Bears. In four seasons, he amassed 133 tackles, 19 tackles for loss and 7.5 sacks. At 6-foot-1 and 327 pounds, Roy is a massive human with heavy hands, upper body strength and eyebrow-raising quickness to wear down blockers. He was moved all up and down the line for the Bears, but he would be the ideal candidate to serve as a nose tackle for the Chargers to help aide with clogging up the middle with his point-of-attack power.

Cardinals land top CB but take no OL in new full mock draft simulation

Check out the results of this new mock draft as the Cardinals land the top cornerback in the draft.

We have another full mock draft simulation to try and see how different scenarios might play out for the Arizona Cardinals. In this latest simulation, one top defensive player unexpectedly falls to the Cardinals with the eighth overall pick in the draft.

And as a result of how things work out in the first two rounds, the Cardinals don’t end up with any offensive linemen.

Here is how the mock draft resulted.

Round 1: Ohio State CB Jeff Okudah

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

In my rankings of the players the Cardinals could take eighth overall, Okudah doesn’t make the list, but only because the assumption was he wouldn’t be available. However, the top two players I would take would be Chase Young and Okudah. Okudah sets the Cardinals up nicely at cornerback for the present and future. The potential shutdown corner could allow the Cardinals to trade Patrick Peterson or to pair the two with Byron Murphy for a dominant trio of corners.

If he is available, there is no debating this pick. Although the need is low, you never pass on a shutdown cornerback when he is also the best player on the board.

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Cardinals land Isaiah Simmons and rising WR in full mock draft simulation

Arizona needs help on defense – what happens if Isaiah Simmons falls to Pick 8?

This years draft offers a lot of very interesting scenarios for Cardinals fans – there’s a lot of players that would seem to be good fits in that number 8 spot, and unlike last year, they don’t really control their draft destiny.

With that in mind, it is time to run another mock draft simulation to play out a particular scenario. In last week’s simulation, the goal was to see how things played out by taking a wide receiver with their first pick.

This time, I was going to go off the map and see what the top rated defensive player would fall. Either I would go with Isaiah Simmons or Jeff Okudah if they were available, or potentially with Derrick Brown if they both were gone.

The pick ends up being the versatile Simmons, who has been compared to ex-Cardinal Tyrann Mathieu for his ability to play multiple positions as well as Bobby Wagner for his height, weight, speed profile:

See how this mock draft looks. These are the results.

Round 1: Clemson LB/S Isaiah Simmons

John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Say what you want about whether Simmons excelled at any one position or whether there is some fear of a repeat of Haason Reddick. Simmons dominated wherever he played in college.

He also had a phenomenal combine where he ran 4.39 on his first 40 attempt:

Yes, there is reason to wonder whether Vance Joseph can use him at his best, but there is no denying that the NFL is trending towards using players like Simmons. He can also immediately step in and help in any area where the Cardinals really struggled on defense — covering tight ends.

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8 draft prospects the Cardinals might value because of PFF rating

It seemed last year Arizona borrowed heavily from Pro Football Focus – here are some players they may like this year if they do so again.

It’s no secret that many believe that Arizona borrowed heavily from Pro Football Focus’ draft rankings in the 2019 draft: 

Kyler Murray was the top-ranked player on PFF’s board when they selected him first. Byron Murphy was the top-ranked player at the time Arizona took him at pick 33 and other players like Zack Allen and Andy Isabella were highly rated. 

If they follow this model again, here are several players the Cards could value more so than others. Here are some. 

Utah RB Zack Moss

Daniel Dunn-USA TODAY Sports

 The Cardinals have already met with Moss at the combine, and one of the reasons may be his high marks from PFF, who have him rated as their top running back over such household names as DeAndre Swift and Jonathan Taylor. 

Moss gets these high marks for his tackle-breaking ability, his hard running style and his ability to catch the ball out of the backfield. Some have even compared him to Marshawn Lynch.

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Colts take Jerry Jeudy, Jacob Eason in latest CBS Sports mock draft

Colts go offense heavy in this mock.

The Indianapolis Colts are just over a week away from the start of free agency, but some of the focus is still on the ever-important first-round selection in the 2020 NFL draft.

Free agency will certainly play a part in the way the Colts go about their draft approach, but they are likely looking at a trio of positions at No. 13. They could go with a quarterback, a wide receiver or a defensive tackle.

In the latest three-round mock draft from Josh Edwards of CBS Sports, the Colts took wide receiver Jerry Jeudy as a way to add more weapons for quarterback Philip Rivers, who was a projected signing in this scenario.

The marriage of Indianapolis and Philip Rivers is a poorly kept secret at this point. If he does end up there, their focus should be adding another dynamic wide receiver to pair with T.Y. Hilton. The offense was a one-trick pony last year when Hilton was absent.

Jeudy would be a fantastic addition to the Colts wide receiver room and one that desperately needs some revamping. Jeudy is a special talent. With his route-running ability, separation and change of direction, Jeudy would be a nice fit for the Colts as T.Y. Hilton’s successor.

Further in the mock draft, the Colts have three more picks. Here’s how they wound up:

  • No. 34 | Jacob Eason | QB | Washington
  • No. 44 | Jordan Elliott | DT | Missouri
  • No. 75 | Brandon Aiyuk | WR | Arizona State

This is an offensively-minded mock for the Colts. They get a great duo of wide receivers, a project with a rocket arm at quarterback and a potentially penetrating defensive tackle in Elliott.

Having Jeudy and Aiyuk to go with Hilton, Parris Campbell, Zach Pascal and a potential free-agent wide receiver would make the room look much better entering the offseason.

Free agency will have a lot to do with their draft approach, but the possibilities are endless at this point.

Missouri DT Jordan Elliott talks formal meeting with Chiefs

Missouri DT Jordan Elliott says he’d feel at home if he was selected by the Chiefs in April’s draft.

The NFL Combine is filled with various storylines surrounding each participant and their possible meeting with teams. Prospects are either spoken to on an informal basis or sat down in scheduled formal meetings to help assess a team’s interest in selecting them during April’s NFL Draft.

Missouri defensive tackle Jordan Elliott left school early to pursue his NFL dream and has many possible suitors. The Kansas City Chiefs have emerged as an interested party as Elliott informed reporters on Wednesday morning. He revealed the Super Bowl champions had a formal meeting with him recently. Chiefs Wire Contributor Ed Easton Jr. was among the media members in attendance at Elliott’s podium session.

The prospects of staying close to his college home are possible for the 22-year old.

“I like the Chiefs; they’re a great organization,” said Elliott. “They’re real professional, so I like them. It would be crazy. It would be a blessing just being back in that city, back in that state. I feel like it would be almost like going back to your hometown even though it’s not my hometown, but I’ve been there for so long.”

Growing up a New York Jets fan, Elliott, when asked, said with a playful smirk, he would choose Patrick Mahomes over Sam Darnold as his quarterback. The 6-4 lineman also confirmed that he enjoyed the meeting naming head coach Andy Reid and general manager Brett Veach as attendees.

“It went well they asked me a few questions like every other team’s been asking me,” Elliot explained. “I was smooth. I feel like it was just explaining the process.”

Only time will tell if Elliott will find himself eventually wearing a Chiefs jersey in two months, but this is an indication of the type of players the front office is targeting.