Mr. Irrelevant
By: Rich Stark
Friday April 24th. Day 2 of the 2020 draft. The Cleveland Browns select DT Jordan Elliot with the 88th pick (traded back with New Orleans from 74). I for one, absolutely loved this pick. He’s largely been completely forgotten, along with another Browns acquisition Adrian Clayborn. Ill just save that for some other time though.
He’s another strong, athletic, raw type player this new regime seems to like. Has all the athletic gifts necessary to be a a starting 3T for the Browns. If you follow Larry Ogunjobi on twitter you’ve seen him putting in some serious work and that dude is jacked. I believe the drafting of Elliot is partially responsible. Lets not get too crazy here, I don’t mean to imply hes going to just explode on the scene in year one, he does project to be a long term starter in the NFL. His speed and strength translate well for his position. While hes not always quick off the ball, his initial punch is enough to put blockers on their heels. He has the ability to play a 2 gap system, and shows the ability at times to be unblockable for one defender. Plays with good pad level and uses his athletic ability to gain the advantage on opponents who over play his bullrush. On film he had a tendency to get caught standing up on the snap looking into the backfield but again, was saved by his athleticism. At times he was not able to manage a down block, sometimes being driven completely off the ball or even pancaked. He gets caught sniffing in the backfield which helps create running lanes for opposing Running backs.
Elliot could also benifit from learning to use his hands significantly better when it comes time to get off a block. All of these things can be cleaned up with coaching. the biggest concern, for me anyway, are his issues diagnosing plays. Its not that he doesn't understand whats happening, he just seems to take extra time to process it and then react. Fortunately for him, his athletic ability has kept him from getting completely exposed. The growth hes shown between his 2017 (89 snap) campaign and his breakout season in 2018 is very encouraging. Hes not a finished product, which is why I wouldn't expect a ton from him this year. Let him get in here, get coached up and learn from a pretty damn good Defensive Tackle and fellow Missouri alum, Sheldon Richardson. Keep this young man in the back of your mind when it comes time to extend Mr Ogunjobi.