No. 25 – Pittsburgh Steelers | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position: | Safety | ||||||||||||||
Personal information | |||||||||||||||
Born: | Dallas, Texas, U.S. | April 21, 1997||||||||||||||
Height: | 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) | ||||||||||||||
Weight: | 210 lb (95 kg) | ||||||||||||||
Career information | |||||||||||||||
High school: | Rockwall-Heath (Heath, Texas) | ||||||||||||||
College: | Texas (2015–2017) | ||||||||||||||
NFL draft: | 2018 / round: 6 / pick: 190 | ||||||||||||||
Career history | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Roster status: | Active | ||||||||||||||
Career highlights and awards | |||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||
Career NFL statistics as of Week 17, 2024 | |||||||||||||||
|
DeShon Elliott (born April 21, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft.
Elliott attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he played high school football. He committed to the University of Texas to play college football. [1] [2]
As a freshman at Texas in 2015, Elliott played in seven games and recorded 13 tackles and two interceptions. As a sophomore he played in 12 games and made one start, recording 30 tackles, one interception and one sack. [3] As a junior in 2017, Elliott was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award. [4] In late November 2017, it was announced that Elliott would forgo his senior year at Texas in favor of the 2018 NFL draft, and that he would not play in the Longhorns' bowl game. [5]
Height | Weight | Arm length | Hand span | 40-yard dash | 10-yard split | 20-yard split | 20-yard shuttle | Three-cone drill | Vertical jump | Broad jump | Bench press | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
6 ft 0+7⁄8 in (1.85 m) | 210 lb (95 kg) | 32+1⁄4 in (0.82 m) | 10+1⁄2 in (0.27 m) | 4.58 s | 1.59 s | 2.69 s | 4.46 s | 7.22 s | 36.0 in (0.91 m) | 10 ft 1 in (3.07 m) | 15 reps | |
All values from NFL Combine [6] [7] |
The Baltimore Ravens selected Elliott in the sixth round (190th overall) of the 2018 NFL Draft. He was the 17th safety drafted in 2018. [8]
On May 5, 2018, the Baltimore Ravens signed Elliott to a four–year, $2.61 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $157,795. [9]
Throughout training camp, Elliott competed for a roster spot as a backup safety, against veterans Chuck Clark, Anthony Levine, and Kai Nacua. On August 25, 2018, Elliott sustained an arm injury and exited the Ravens' 27–10 victory against the Miami Dolphins. On August 31, 2018, the Baltimore Ravens officially placed Elliott on injured reserve with a fractured forearm. [10] He subsequently missed the entire 2018 NFL season as the Baltimore Ravens finished first in the AFC North with a 10–6 record before exiting the playoffs after losing 17–26 to the Los Angeles Chargers in the AFC Wildcard Game.
Throughout training camp, Elliott competed for a roster spot as a backup safety against Anthony Levine and Brynden Trawick. [11] Defensive coordinator Don Martindale named Earl Thomas and Tony Jefferson the starting safeties to begin the season with Elliott listed as the backup free safety behind Thomas. [12] On September 8, 2019, Elliott made his long awaited professional regular season debut in the Ravens' season-opener and made one solo tackle in their 59–10 victory at the Miami Dolphins. In Week 4, he collected a season-high three solo tackles during a 25–40 loss to the Cleveland Browns. In Week 6, he had one solo tackle before exiting the Ravens' 23-27 defeat over the Cincinnati Bengals due to an injury. On October 15, 2019, the Baltimore Ravens officially placed Elliott on injured reserve with a knee injury. He subsequently missed the remaining ten games (Weeks 7–17) of the 2019 NFL season. [13] He finished his sophomore season appearing in only six games and being limited to six tackles. [14]
He entered training camp in 2020 slated to be the primary backup safety behind Earl Thomas after Tony Jefferson was released. On August 23, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens, unexpectedly released Earl Thomas citing conduct detrimental to the team after he was sent home from practice following a physical altercation with Chuck Clark on August 21. Elliott subsequently became the definitive option as his replacement. [15] Head coach John Harbaugh officially named Elliott the de facto starting free safety to begin the regular season, along with starting strong safety Chuck Clark. [16]
On September 13, 2020, Elliott earned his first career start and recorded five combined tackles (two solo) in the Ravens' 38–6 defeat over the Cleveland Browns in their home-opener. The following week, he recorded four solo tackles and had his first career sack against Deshaun Watson for a four-yard loss in a 33–16 victory against the Houston Texans in Week 2. [17] On November 3, 2020, the Baltimore Ravens placed him on the reserve/COVID-19 and activated him four days later. [18] [19] In Week 13, he racked up a season-high seven solo tackles as the Ravens routed the Dallas Cowboys 34–17. He finished the 2020 NFL season with 80 combined tackles (51 solo), four pass deflections, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles while starting all 16 regular season games. [20]
The Baltimore Ravens earned a Wildcard berth after finishing second in the AFC North with an 11–5 record. On January 10, 2021, Elliott started in his first appearance in the postseason and made four combined tackles (three solo) as well as one pass deflection in a 20–13 victory at the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Wildcard Game. [21] The following week, he had five combined tackles (four solo) as the Ravens were eliminated from the playoffs following a 3–17 loss at the Buffalo Bills in the AFC Divisional Round. [22]
Head coach John Harbaugh retained Elliott and Chuck Clark as the starting safety duo in 2021. In Week 1, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles (four solo) in a 17–33 loss at the Las Vegas Raiders in their season-opener. He injured his quadriceps and was sidelined for two games (Weeks 4–5). On October 17, 2021, Elliott had his best performance during his stint with the Baltimore Ravens, recording three solo tackles, a pass deflection, one sack, and had his first career interception off a pass by Justin Herbert as the Ravens routed the Los Angeles Chargers 34–6. [23] On November 8, 2021, Elliott was placed on injured reserve after suffering a season-ending biceps and pectoral injury late in the fourth quarter of a 34–31 overtime win over the Minnesota Vikings in Week 8. [24] [25] He ended his last season with the Baltimore Ravens with 21 combined tackles (19 solo), two pass deflections, one sack, and one interception in six games and six starts. [26]
On April 14, 2022, the Detroit Lions signed Elliott to a one–year, $1.10 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $135,000. [27] [9] Elliott received limited interest in free agency due to his history with repeated injuries and the Baltimore Ravens chose not to extend an offer instead choosing to replace him at starting free safety with free agent Marcus Williams. [28] [29]
He entered training camp as the projected starting free safety, competing only with rookie Kerby Joseph, after defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn elected to transition former starting free safety Will Harris to nickelback. [30] [31] Head coach Dan Campbell named Elliott the starting free safety to begin 2022, alongside starting strong safety Tracy Walker. [32] [33]
On October 9, 2022, he collected a season-high 12 combined tackles (ten solo), made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass attempt by Bailey Zappe intended for wide receiver Nelson Agholor in a 0–29 loss at the New England Patriots. He was sidelined during the Lions' Week 9 loss to the Miami Dolphins after injuring his finger. He missed another two games (Weeks 16–17) due to a shoulder injury. He finished the 2022 NFL season with a total of 96 combined tackles (73 solo), three pass deflections, one interception, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery in 14 games and 13 starts. [34]
On March 15, 2023, the Miami Dolphins signed Elliott to a fully guaranteed one–year, $1.77 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $690,000. [35] [9]
Throughout training camp, Elliott competed against close friend and former college teammate Brandon Jones for the starting role at free safety. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio named Elliott the starting free safety alongside Jevon Holland to start the regular season. [36]
On September 10, 2023, Elliott started the Miami Dolphins' season-opener at the Los Angeles Chargers and collected a season-high 13 combined tackles (eight solo) in a 36–34 victory. In Week 3, he had five combined tackles (three solo) and a season-high two pass deflections as the Dolphins routed the Denver Broncos 70–20. He was inactive in the Dolphins' 20–48 loss at the Buffalo Bills in Week 4 after sustaining an ankle injury. He was sidelined during a 30–0 defeat over the New York Jets after suffering a concussion. On January 7, 2024, Elliott recorded ten combined tackles (six solo), deflected a pass, and intercepted a throw by Josh Allen intended for Gabriel Davis in a 21–14 loss to the Buffalo Bills in Week 18. [37] He finished with 82 combined tackles (53 solo), seven pass deflections, one interception, and a fumble recovery in 15 games and 15 starts. [38]
On March 14, 2024, the Pittsburgh Steelers signed Elliott to a two–year, $6.00 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.50 million. [39] [9]
He entered training camp slated as the de facto starting strong safety, replacing Damontae Kazee who became a backup free safety. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Elliott the starting strong safety to begin the season, alongside free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick. [40]
On September 8, 2024, Elliott started in the Pittsburgh Steelers' season-opener at the Atlanta Falcons and recorded four combined tackles (one solo), a season-high two pass deflections, and intercepted a pass by Kirk Cousins intended for wide receiver Drake London during an 18–10 victory. [41] In Week 14, he collected a season-high 14 combined tackles (nine solo) and deflected a pass in a 27–14 win over the Cleveland Browns. He injured his hamstring during the game and subsequently missed the next two games (Weeks 15–16). He finished the 2024 NFL season with a career-high total of 108 combined tackles (72 solo), six pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 15 games and 14 starts. [42]
Legend | |
---|---|
Bold | Career high |
Year | Team | Games | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||||||
2018 | BAL | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||||||
2019 | BAL | 6 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||
2020 | BAL | 16 | 16 | 80 | 51 | 29 | 2.5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | |||||
2021 | BAL | 6 | 6 | 23 | 19 | 4 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | |||||
2022 | DET | 14 | 13 | 96 | 73 | 23 | 0.0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | |||||
2023 | MIA | 15 | 15 | 82 | 53 | 29 | 0.0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | |||||
Career | 57 | 50 | 287 | 202 | 85 | 3.5 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 17 |
Year | Team | Games | Tackling | Fumbles | Interceptions | ||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
GP | GS | Comb | Solo | Ast | Sck | FF | FR | Yds | Int | Yds | Avg | Lng | TD | PD | |||||||
2018 | BAL | 0 | 0 | Did not play due to injury | |||||||||||||||||
2020 | BAL | 2 | 2 | 9 | 7 | 2 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||
2023 | MIA | 1 | 1 | 9 | 3 | 6 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||||
Career | 3 | 3 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
Edward Earl Reed Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL), spending the majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, where he played on Miami's 2001 national championship team and was named a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL draft and played 11 seasons with them before playing with the Houston Texans and New York Jets in 2013.
Sammy Dye Knight Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the USC Trojans and was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 1997. Knight was also a member of the Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Jacksonville Jaguars and New York Giants. He was also an assistant coach for USC.
Johnathan Lee Joseph is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the first round of the 2006 NFL draft. Joseph also played for the Houston Texans, Tennessee Titans, and Arizona Cardinals.
Tramon Vernell Williams Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 15 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs, and was signed by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent in 2006. Williams spent much of his NFL career with the Green Bay Packers, playing with them from 2006 to 2014, and again in the 2018, 2019, and 2020 seasons. He was also a member of the Cleveland Browns, Arizona Cardinals, and Baltimore Ravens.
Lawrence Olajuwon Timmons is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round of the 2007 NFL draft. He won Super Bowl XLIII with the Steelers the following year, and played in Super Bowl XLV two years later. He played college football for the Florida State Seminoles.
Eric Steven Weddle is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 14 seasons. He played college football for the Utah Utes, where he earned consensus All-American honors in 2006, and was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 NFL draft. During his nine seasons with the Chargers, Weddle received three Pro Bowl and two first-team All-Pro selections. Weddle spent his next three seasons as a member of the Baltimore Ravens, earning Pro Bowl honors in each and extending his total selections to six. He retired after playing for the Los Angeles Rams in 2019, but returned two years later to join the Rams on their playoff run, which culminated with a victory in Super Bowl LVI. Following the championship, he retired a second time.
Glover Freeman Quin Jr. is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the New Mexico Lobos, and was selected by the Houston Texans in the fourth round of the 2009 NFL draft. Quinn stayed in Houston for four seasons. He then also played for the Detroit Lions for six seasons.
Joseph Walter Haden III is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback for 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Florida Gators, earning unanimous All-American honors and was a member of a BCS National Championship team. He was selected by the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft and played for them for seven seasons. He also played for the Pittsburgh Steelers for five seasons.
Earl Winty Thomas III is an American former professional football safety who played in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and received consensus All-American honors and played in the 2010 BCS National Championship Game. He left after his redshirt sophomore year and he was selected by the Seattle Seahawks in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. During his time with the Seahawks, he made 6 Pro Bowls and 5 All-Pro teams as he was a core member of the Legion of Boom defense, winning Super Bowl XLVIII against the Denver Broncos and started in Super Bowl XLIX. After nine seasons with Seattle, he signed with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent and played one season while earning his 7th Pro Bowl invite.
Kareem Jackson is an American professional football safety for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Jackson was selected by the Houston Texans in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft. He has also played for the Denver Broncos.
Darian Stewart is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the South Carolina Gamecocks. He was signed by the St. Louis Rams as an undrafted free agent after the 2010 NFL draft. He also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Denver Broncos, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. As a member of the Broncos, he won a Super Bowl ring in Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. He was named to his first Pro Bowl in 2017.
Reshad Monquez Jones is an American former professional football player who was a safety in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the Georgia Bulldogs. He was selected by the Miami Dolphins in the fifth round of the 2010 NFL draft.
James Michael Smith is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens with the 27th pick in the 2011 NFL draft. He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Tashaun James Gipson Sr. is an American professional football safety for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Wyoming and signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2012. Gipson has also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans and Chicago Bears.
Marcus Alan Williams is an American professional football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah Utes.
Brandon Jones is an American professional football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Texas.
Jevon Holland is a Canadian-American professional football safety for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Oregon Ducks, and was selected by the Dolphins in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Tre'von Moehrig-Woodard is an American professional football safety for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the TCU Horned Frogs and was selected by the Las Vegas Raiders in the second round of the 2021 NFL draft.
Kyle Hamilton is an American professional football safety for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, earning consensus All-American honors in 2021 before being selected by the Ravens in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft.
Timothy Brandon Stephens is an American professional football cornerback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UCLA Bruins and SMU Mustangs.