The NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year Award will be announced Saturday, and it’s a sure thng that Oakland’s Justin “Jelly” Ellis won’t win it.
In 2014, the first-year defensive lineman had a solid debut, yet played in the shadow of two terrific rookies, quarterback Derek Carr and linebacker Khalil Mack.
Yet as the Raiders look to 2015, they know they have a young defensive tackle who should only continue to grow and play a bigger role in whatever defensive scheme new head coach Jack Del Rio and an as-yet-unnamed defensive coordinator decide to run.
Ellis, a 6-foot-2, 334-pounder from Louisiana Tech, a fourth-round pick in 2014, played in all 16 games and had 14 starts. He didn’t have eye-popping stats – he was in on 21 tackles and had zero sacks -- but as the season progressed his playing time gradually increased. By the end of the season he had passed veteran Pat Sims in the defensive line rotation.
In his first season, Ellis showed great strength and an ability to disrupt offensive blocking schemes.
Ellis, along with Mack, was named to the Pro Football Writers Association All-Rookie team.
“He’s done a good job of not getting moved off the football consistently,” former Raiders interim head coach Tony Sparano told Bill Williamson of ESPN.com during the 2014 season. “He’s affected the passer on several situations by pushing the pocket, kind of being able to do that with some power and some speed-to-power inside like that. He’s been, really, an active player and his snap count has been going up. … He’s earned that.”
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Ellis has been a defensive tackle in the Raiders’ 4-3 scheme, but there has been some speculation Oakland might shift to a 3-4. Louisville defensive coordinator Todd Grantham – who reportedly was offered the job this week as Raiders defensive coordinator but turned it down – has been a 3-4 coach, and Del Rio, too, has experience with the 3-4.
If the Raiders do change, Ellis might be a perfect nose tackle – a stout, strong and quick defender who can hold his own against blocks and disrupt running plays.
But no matter what scheme the Raiders run, or who the next defensive coordinator turns out to be, Oakland has a solid talent in Ellis.
“He has a nose tackle body type but with better quickness and penetrating skills than most short, fat nose tackle types,” ESPN NFL scout Matt Williamson said recently. “I like and would say he is a longtime starter.”
