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** RD 5 - BENGALS select JAKE ELLIOTT, K **


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Jake Elliott

5'9

167 lbs

Overview

Not many players earn first-team all-conference recognition in all four years of their playing career. Elliott, however, did just that for the Tigers, becoming the school's all-time leading scorer as well as setting records for field goals made in total and from 50 yards away or more. This at a school that produced New England Patriots All-Pro Stephen Gostkowski. Elliott made 21-of-26 field goals in 2016, was also an Academic All-American just one year after being named an AP All-American (and Lou Groza Award finalist) for on-the-field play (23-of-28 FG). He started his career with a bang in 2013, going 16-for-18 on field goal attempts including three from 50 yards or more. Elliott had a sophomore slump (21-of-32 FG, 6-of-16 from over 40 yards), but did not miss an extra point throughout his career, making 202 straight. Elliott has been a four-year kickoff specialist, as well, having 210 of his 330 attempts (63.7 percent) count as touchbacks.

Analysis

Strengths

Very quick leg action on his follow-through. Kicks with excellent trajectory. Doesn't allow an early miss to wreck his confidence. Has had three of six onside kicks recovered including all three attempts over last two seasons. Had just one kick blocked over four years. Never allowed a kickoff return for a touchdown. Simply never misses chip shot kicks making every attempt inside of 30 yards for his career.

Weaknesses

Kickoff distance and hang-time are below desired NFL marks. Will need to add more distance to his kickoffs as a pro. Has a smallish frame and could have issues as a last line of defense on kickoffs. Has had issues hitting mid-range field goals with consistency. Initial jab step into approach is a little slow.

Draft Projection

Round 7-PFA

Bottom Line

Elliott's lack of consistent leg strength and hang time on kickoffs could hurt his chances, but he's been a lights-out kicker for his career with the exception of a dreadful sophomore season. Elliott is a consistent ball striker with a repeatable follow-through who has proven to have the necessary range for teams looking for a consistent kicker beyond 50 yards.
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Just now, Rumble In the Jungle said:

Did Zane Gonzales get picked? Elliot is good but Zane was the one to get. Elliot was right after Gonzales.

 

Zane was available ... no kickers had been picked yet. The Bengals must've liked Elliot better. 

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11 minutes ago, Rumble In the Jungle said:

Did Zane Gonzales get picked? Elliot is good but Zane was the one to get. Elliot was right after Gonzales.

 

No, Zane was still available.  After doing some checking, it looks like Jake is more accurate from 50+, so I'm ok with this pick.

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11 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

No, Zane was still available.  After doing some checking, it looks like Jake is more accurate from 50+, so I'm ok with this pick.

 

 

Either of them have significantly more experience kicking in shit weather?

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This "weaknesses" section on Zane might explain why the Bengals preferred Jake ... :boese045:

 

Weaknesses

Uses altered follow through for shorter kicks. Tends to short-leg shorter kicks, causing some inconsistencies with his accuracy. Takes questionable angles in his pursuit of kick returners. Has allowed three kick returns for touchdowns over last two seasons. Kickoff hang-time was slightly below average.

 

http://www.nfl.com/draft/2017/profiles/zane-gonzalez?id=2558178

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2 minutes ago, T-Dub said:

 

 

Either of them have significantly more experience kicking in shit weather?

 

I think Jake has more, just based on his conference and home field, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

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2 minutes ago, Jason said:

 

I think Jake has more, just based on his conference and home field, but I'm not 100% sure of that.

 

Jake definitely has more, Zane played in 'zona.  In fact one of the analyses I read directly stated that it was an open question whether Zane could deal with bad weather.  Jake's biggest question marks were kickoff distance and his diminutive size (implying he's unlikely to get much stronger).  As we know, in the NFL kickoff distance is much less of an issue, and even with that Simmons likes his short kickoff gamesmanship anyway.  Jake was the better guy to count on for consistent accuracy, clutch kicks (just watch some of the videos above) and... he never missed a PAT in college!  Yay!  :lol:

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This might be one of those few situations where scouting team size really factors in. I would think kicker is lowest priority, and maybe they just never got a chance to get to Arizona to see Zane? Im not mad at the pick, it just seems to be universal that Zane was the better choice.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Go-Bengals.com

 

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23 minutes ago, GoCommando said:

This might be one of those few situations where scouting team size really factors in. I would think kicker is lowest priority, and maybe they just never got a chance to get to Arizona to see Zane? Im not mad at the pick, it just seems to be universal that Zane was the better choice.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Go-Bengals.com

 

 Zane was higher rated, but Jake was more accurate from 50+ and has more experience in bad weather games.

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7 hours ago, Rumble In the Jungle said:

Did Zane Gonzales get picked? Elliot is good but Zane was the one to get. Elliot was right after Gonzales.

 

Zane Gonzalez missed 5 19 yard extra points in college.  Elliot never missed an XP or FG inside of 30 yards.  Elliot also has kicked in shitty weather whereas Gonzalez has almost always kicked in perfect weather conditions.  Elliot was the must get.  Elliot also broke most of Gostowski's records at Memphis.

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5 hours ago, GoCommando said:

This might be one of those few situations where scouting team size really factors in. I would think kicker is lowest priority, and maybe they just never got a chance to get to Arizona to see Zane? Im not mad at the pick, it just seems to be universal that Zane was the better choice.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Go-Bengals.com

 

 

They scouted Zane pretty deeply and he's not on the same level as Elliot when it comes to consistency and power.

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15 hours ago, TimKrumrieFan said:

 

Zane Gonzalez missed 5 19 yard extra points in college.  Elliot never missed an XP or FG inside of 30 yards.  Elliot also has kicked in shitty weather whereas Gonzalez has almost always kicked in perfect weather conditions.  Elliot was the must get.  Elliot also broke most of Gostowski's records at Memphis.

 

Road games in Eugene/Corvallis Oregon, Seattle/Pullman Washington, and Boulder CO are perfect weather conditions? 

 

In any event, I thought this guy was the right pick.

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