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Round 6 (#178) Selection: OLB Keith Ellison


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Height: 6-1

Weight: 229

40 Speed: 4.83*

 

Position: Outside Linebacker

College: Oregon State

Final Grade: G 5.9 ST

 

SUMMARY

 

Ellison was frustrating to grade because statistically he was a very productive linebacker who was involved in one play out of every 7.3 snaps, but he was not a consistently productive player. He was much less productive when blockers were able to get their hands on him. While he measures nearly 230 pounds, he looks much smaller on film and when he plays up high he really struggles vs. blockers. He is a versatile linebacker who is good rushing the passer, very smooth dropping into zone coverage, has the play speed and athleticism to cover well in man-to-man coverage and can make plays vs. the run from sideline to sideline. Overall, Ellison has all the physical tools to be a very productive starting linebacker if he becomes more consistent playing aggressively vs. blockers and bulks up to approximately 240 pounds. An added bonus is that while Ellison is a backup during his first season or two while he bulks up and learns to play more consistently, he will be able to make an impact as a cover man on special teams coverage.

 

STRONG POINTS

 

Ellison is a very good athlete with the quick feet, agility and flexibility to plays very well out in space when he bends his knees, plays over feet and stays under control. He is very quick and smooth dropping into zone coverage, reads the quarterback pass well, breaks and closes quickly and can make the hard hit right after the ball arrives to break up pass. He has good instincts, which combine with his quick feet so that he consistently reads and reacts to the play fast. On plays away he accelerates to full speed quickly, moves through traffic easily and has the playing speed to consistently chase plays down in pursuit. He is a very quick blitzer off the edge, can defeat the running back/tight end blocks easily and closes on the quarterback in a flash and makes hard hit. He has been a good coverage man on special teams at Oregon State.

 

WEAKNESSES

 

Ellison is clearly an undersized linebacker and it hinders his ability to consistently make plays when he has to deal with blockers. Once a blocker locks up on him, he lacks the strength to shed and get free consistently. He has a tendency to lose focus at times and ends up playing high when chasing the play and ends up getting bounced around in traffic. He gets over-aggressive at times and it leads to him stopping feet and diving and lunging, which leads to him missing tackles. He bites on play action fakes at times and it allows the tight end to get behind him too easily.

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Positives: Has good upper body muscle definition and a frame that continues to grow and add more bulk...Has a good bubble, well-defined legs and explosive closing speed...Very effective player operating in space and while he lacks ideal size, he demonstrates good strength to take on and defeat lead blockers in run containment...Makes most of his plays on the move, as he has the lateral range and agility to sift through trash and burst to close...Dips his shoulder and maintains leverage in plays directed at him and has enough hand strength to take on and shed to make the play...His leverage and hand punch allow him to shock the offensive linemen coming off the ball...Also has the good hand usage needed to reroute tight ends and backs in the short area...Covers ground quickly working along the perimeter and has enough pop to take down running backs, bringing his arms and feet to fit and secure...Shows the athletic agility, loose hips and quickness to drop and get good depth in pass coverage...Has the awareness to look up and jump the receiver...Has very good stop-and-go action, accelerating well turning out of his backpedal...Has the hand skills and body adjustment to grab the ball in front of him...Explosive blitzer who is sudden coming off the edge, closing fast on the pocket.

 

Negatives: Has good strength, but size issues will generally see him get engulfed by larger blockers and ping-ponged trying to shoot the inside gaps...Can hit and stun an isolated blocker, but will not consistently stack and control, nor create a pile...Does not have the size to hold ground at the point of attack, especially vs. double teams...Best making plays on the move, as he will get pushed inside by cut blockers when working on the perimeter and is more of an avoider than a defender who relishes taking on blocks... Has good pass coverage skills, but is still developing the feel and instincts to play linebacker...Bites a lot on play action and while he takes good angles in pursuit, he can get a little reckless and outrun the play.

 

Ellison is a developing talent who is making progress becoming acclimated to playing linebacker. He reminds me of the Colts' David Thornton for his lateral range and explosive burst coming off the edge. He is a bit undersized for a linebacker, but has enough strength to take down ball carriers and take on the lead blocker.

 

He needs to improve his read-and-diagnose skills, especially in pass coverage, but has the loose hips and transition quickness to mirror receivers through their routes. He will usually get in trouble when he bites on fakes and does get reckless in his pursuit at times. But he is an aggressive hitter with good pop on contact. When he spots passing threats, he has the acceleration to gain position and make the play.

 

He will never be the type to create piles or take on the bigger offensive linemen working in-line, but he has the hand punch to jolt blockers and his burst off the edge lets him avoid lethargic offensive tackles in attempts to close on the pocket. His explosion as a pass rusher saw him develop into a disruptive force as a senior. If he gets a free lane and takes aim on the quarterback, he can seal the deal.

 

Ellison could possibly move back to safety at the pro level, but needs to do a better job of understanding and recognizing fakes and play action. As a linebacker, his speed might be better suited for the weak side, where he can get a free lane into the backfield rather than having to engage much bigger offensive linemen in attempts to penetrate. He has a developing frame with more room to grow, but it is his quickness as a Cover-2 defender that will get him drafted earlier than by becoming an read-and-react type playing inside the box.

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SUMMARY

 

Ellison was frustrating to grade because statistically he was a very productive linebacker who was involved in one play out of every 7.3 snaps, but he was not a consistently productive player. He was much less productive when blockers were able to get their hands on him. While he measures nearly 230 pounds, he looks much smaller on film and when he plays up high he really struggles vs. blockers. He is a versatile linebacker who is good rushing the passer, very smooth dropping into zone coverage, has the play speed and athleticism to cover well in man-to-man coverage and can make plays vs. the run from sideline to sideline. Overall, Ellison has all the physical tools to be a very productive starting linebacker if he becomes more consistent playing aggressively vs. blockers and bulks up to approximately 240 pounds. An added bonus is that while Ellison is a backup during his first season or two while he bulks up and learns to play more consistently, he will be able to make an impact as a cover man on special teams coverage.

 

STRONG POINTS

 

Ellison is a very good athlete with the quick feet, agility and flexibility to plays very well out in space when he bends his knees, plays over feet and stays under control. He is very quick and smooth dropping into zone coverage, reads the quarterback pass well, breaks and closes quickly and can make the hard hit right after the ball arrives to break up pass. He has good instincts, which combine with his quick feet so that he consistently reads and reacts to the play fast. On plays away he accelerates to full speed quickly, moves through traffic easily and has the playing speed to consistently chase plays down in pursuit. He is a very quick blitzer off the edge, can defeat the running back/tight end blocks easily and closes on the quarterback in a flash and makes hard hit. He has been a good coverage man on special teams at Oregon State.

 

WEAKNESSES

 

Ellison is clearly an undersized linebacker and it hinders his ability to consistently make plays when he has to deal with blockers. Once a blocker locks up on him, he lacks the strength to shed and get free consistently. He has a tendency to lose focus at times and ends up playing high when chasing the play and ends up getting bounced around in traffic. He gets over-aggressive at times and it leads to him stopping feet and diving and lunging, which leads to him missing tackles. He bites on play action fakes at times and it allows the tight end to get behind him too easily.

678514[/snapback]

 

Well at least we got a special teams player. And possibly someone who can be a back up to Crowell once he takes over Posey's spot.

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