{"id":31622,"date":"2016-02-05T05:02:00","date_gmt":"2016-02-05T09:02:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.jetnation.com\/?p=31622"},"modified":"2016-02-05T05:02:00","modified_gmt":"2016-02-05T09:02:00","slug":"ezekiel-elliot-scouting-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/miletestsite.com\/jets\/2016\/02\/05\/ezekiel-elliot-scouting-report\/","title":{"rendered":"Ezekiel Elliot- Scouting Report"},"content":{"rendered":"

Welcome to the 2016 NFL draft scouting series at Jet Nation.\u00a0\u00a0 We\u2019ll feature many prospects that the Jets\u2019 front office will be scouting in the weeks to come.\u00a0\u00a0 Thanks to the folks at Draft Breakdown<\/a> for compiling these videos.\u00a0 It\u2019s a very good website to watch tape on prospects.\u00a0 Unfortunately, these are mostly media tapes, and not the All-22 tapes.<\/p>\n

The first one with a scouting report is Ohio State running back Ezekiel Elliot, a popular mock draft pick for the Jets.<\/p>\n

Scouting report:<\/h2>\n

Positives:<\/h3>\n

Speed:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

Elliot shows off very good speed on the football field, especially for a bruising back, and can consistently run away from linebackers in the open field.\u00a0\u00a0 The first example is from the most recent Michigan game, where Elliot runs away from the safety and gets chased down well down the field.\u00a0 You will notice that No. 25 is trying to chase down Elliot, but doesn\u2019t make up much ground.\u00a0 No. 25 is Dymonte Thomas on the Wolverines roster, and while there is no concrete 40-yard time, he\u2019s expected to run right between a 4.4 and 4.5.\u00a0\u00a0 Michigan had the 16th<\/sup> best rushing defense in the country, holding opposing teams to an average of 122 yards rushing per game, but Elliot burned them for 214 yards.\u00a0\u00a0 The speed is on display when he bursts into the second tier and creates separation.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example is from his sophomore year against Wisconsin (Jets\u2019 fans can recall highlights from this game, as it was the game Devin Smith made 3 touchdowns) where he burns them up the middle.\u00a0\u00a0 The Badgers are caught in a single high safety with the second safety mirroring the QB in this case.\u00a0 Once Elliot hits the hole and has open field ahead of him, no one was catching him.\u00a0 He again displays very good speed, and notice how none of the defenders are making up any ground on him as he runs to the end zone.<\/p>\n

3)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The third example comes from the same game as the second example.\u00a0 The game is a lopsided win at this point, as you can see from the scoreboard.\u00a0 Elliot runs up the middle, and runs away from the linebackers again, and is running a step ahead of the safety Lubern Figaro (#31) when he gets pushed out of bounds.\u00a0 Figaro reportedly ran the 40-yard dash in the 4.5 range in high school.\u00a0 However, what is more impressive about this play is that Elliot makes the dash with only one shoe, as he lost the other show when the linebacker dove at his feet.<\/p>\n

4)\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fourth example is from a game against Michigan State in his sophomore year as well.\u00a0 This is a simple read option play, which the DE (Calhoun) recognizes pretty early, but Elliot outruns him to the edge and accelerates past him for the first down.\u00a0 This is a good example of Elliot having lateral speed to get to the edge, turn the corner and get down field.<\/p>\n

5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fifth example is one most people have seen before, one his best runs from the game against Alabama in the college playoff game.\u00a0 Alabama that year allowed 88 yards per game rushing, while Elliot notched 85 yards alone on this run.\u00a0 The play is simple, one cut up field, and Elliot explodes through the hole for the TD.<\/p>\n

Power:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The first example in power is very similar to a Chris Ivory run for the Jets in that he powers through the first defender.\u00a0 Michigan was 15th<\/sup> in the country against the run in Elliot\u2019s sophomore year, and Elliot plowed through them on this play.\u00a0 While it is not a TD, it\u2019s impressive how Elliot withstood two hits, kept his balance, and moved forward.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example is also from the same game, where he just powers through the middle and wills himself to the first down.\u00a0 It takes about 5 Wolverines for Elliot to be brought down after he crosses the first down marker.\u00a0 This is one of the reasons why his speed is special because he combines it with very good power.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The third example is from this year\u2019s Michigan game, where he powers through the middle and breaks a tackle to get to the second level.\u00a0 The is a play that should be stopped for about 4 yards, but he turns it into a double digit gain.\u00a0\u00a0 The linebacker has a straight shot on Elliot and he still breaks the tackle.<\/p>\n

4)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fourth example is from the Michigan State game from last year, where he drags the safety behind him for 5 yards down the field.\u00a0 If current Jet Devin Smith makes a block on his man, this might have been a TD.<\/p>\n

5)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fifth example is from the game against Notre Dame.\u00a0 The Fighting Irish didn\u2019t have a great rush defense, and Elliot plows through the middle here shedding defenders.\u00a0 He comes close to scoring a TD, and it takes two defenders to bring him down.<\/p>\n

Receiving:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The first example of Elliot is from the Cincinnati game, where he makes a nice catch, turns upfield and gains a good amount of yardage.\u00a0 Notice how he naturally catches the ball while still on the run.\u00a0 He does not turn his whole body towards the QB to make that catch, instead turning his upper body to catch the ball, allowing him to retain momentum.<\/p>\n

2)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example is also from the Cincy game, where he again makes a nice catch and gains yardage.\u00a0 The ball is a bit off, but he makes the adjustment, and fights off the defender to gain the first down.<\/p>\n

Blocking:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The first example is from the Notre Dame game, where he acts as the lead blocker for Braxton Miller.\u00a0 He completely takes No. 17 James Onwualu out of the play, opening up major space for Miller to run through.\u00a0 Many scouting reports have him as a very good blocker, although at times, he does rely on taking out the legs of defenders.<\/p>\n

2)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example also comes from the same game, where Elliot picks up the blitz (interestingly enough same LB) and stand him up, allowing the play to develop. \u00a0 Notice how he also pushes him away from the play.<\/p>\n

3)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The third example is from the Michigan State game, where he comes across the formation to pick up the blitz from the other side.\u00a0 This allows Devin Smith to wiggle free.<\/p>\n

4)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The fourth example is also from the Michigan State game to emphasize his weakness when he has a tendency to go for the legs.\u00a0 On this play, the DE (Calhoun) all but steps over him, and breaks down the play.<\/p>\n

Negatives: \u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n

The System:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The System is probably one of the biggest negatives when it comes to Elliot.\u00a0\u00a0 The first example is a play that you have already seen.\u00a0 The Badgers are in a single safety look, but look at where the safety is going at the start of the play.\u00a0 One of the most explosive RBs in the country is on the field, and the entire defense seems to shift towards where the QB is going towards, on the outside.\u00a0 It\u2019s one of the downfalls of evaluating someone playing in a spread read option system.\u00a0 The defense has to account for the QB to be running as well, alas can\u2019t commit as much towards the RB.<\/p>\n

2)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example is from the Michigan game this year.\u00a0 Notice the somewhat delayed reaction of the middle linebacker at the exchange time.\u00a0 The play doesn\u2019t go for big yards, but on a team that doesn\u2019t feature a mobile QB, the defense would be more committed to stopping the RB.<\/p>\n

3)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The third example is from the Michigan game last year.\u00a0 This is a 4th<\/sup> and 1 play, so the RB should be a main focus.\u00a0 However, Ohio State presents 3 options for the Wolverines to worry about in the back field and notice where the defense went.\u00a0 They vacated the middle, following the QB instead of possibly the top RB in this year\u2019s class.<\/p>\n

The Team:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

Ohio State is by far and away the most talented team in the Big10, and this allows for a significant advantage in talent in the trenches.\u00a0\u00a0 The first example is again, the play from Wisconsin, but a different angle.\u00a0 Look at the hole created by the line.\u00a0 This can be called the Trent Richardson effect, where the offensive line is so talented that it\u2019s hard for the RB to screw it up.\u00a0\u00a0 Elliot takes advantage of the hole and makes a huge play, but it still leaves you to wonder about how much of an advantage Ohio State\u2019s talent upfront provided for the RB.<\/p>\n

2)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The second example is from the Virginia Tech game, where Elliot faces a stacked box.\u00a0 This usually means a power run, but Ohio State\u2019s line opens up a massive hole right up the middle.\u00a0 Elliot runs up the middle, breaks a diving arm tackle, and is home free for the long TD.<\/p>\n

3)<\/p>\n

\"Elliot<\/a><\/p>\n

The third example is from the Michigan game this year, where on first and goal, Elliot has enough to space in the middle to deal with just an arm block.\u00a0 The offensive linemen make great blocks, and the only one who has a remote shot at Elliot is trying to disengage from a block.<\/p>\n

Why the Jets should take Ezekiel Elliot:<\/strong><\/p>\n