From now until the 2019 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#97 Jalen Jelks / EDGE Oregon – 6’5” 256
The Good
- Good size and arm length (34 5/8 inches)
- Experience as DE in 3 man front and on the edge in 2 point stance
- High effort player
- Good chase and pursuit of the ball
- Makes violent chops/slaps/clubs with his hands
The Bad
- Lacks play strength to anchor or set the edge
- Doesn’t win 1 on 1 as much as you’d like; must improve shed
- Stance on defensive line is squatty and he doesn’t fire out at the snap
- Doesn’t have a dominant pass rush move
- Doesn’t string together moves with chops/slap/clubs
- Lacks good first step and doesn’t have speed around the edge
Bio
- Career – 155 tackles, 92 solo, 30 TFL, 15.5 sacks, 1 INT for 1 yard, 11 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF
- 2018 – 56 tackles, 30 solo, 7.5 TFL, 3.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR
- Pac-12 All-Conference first team
- Started 25 of 44 career games
- 2017 Joe Schaffield Award (Defensive Line MVP – voted on by teammates)
Tape Breakdown
Jalen Jelks (#97) always seemed to be a name the popped up often when watching PAC-12 games. The long, lean defender seemed to be on the screen often but what does the tape say?
Right off the bat, he seemed to be playing out of position playing defensive end in a 3 man front usually reserved for players quite a bit heavier than him. He lined up in the 4i to 5 technique most of the time but played some inside and on the edge as well. To his credit he is a high effort player taking on heavier players on the inside and doing his best to do his job.
His stance is squatty, like he’s sitting on his heels. He gets his hands up quickly but doesn’t fire forward more upward while reading the play. He doesn’t have the play strength to succeed regularly in 1 on 1 situations allowing him to shed blockers or take on double teams on the inside. He’s a solid tackler able to get down ball carriers when he gets his hands on them and shows good pursuit chasing down the ball.
Vs Bowling Green he’s standing up on the left edge and uses a club to the inside to move the RT and stops the runner for no gain.
At Arizona State he’s over the RT and the defensive line is slanting left. He’s able to get inside of the RT and swing down the RB
At Arizona State he’s left unblocked but I liked his acceleration here once he sees the land and gets in the backfield quickly.
At California he’s the 5 tech on the right he tries to get in the C gap but the TE cuts him off and drives him 7 yards downfield.
On the edge it wasn’t very impressive either. He’s a little quicker from a 2 point stance and likes to throw violent chops, slaps and clubs but doesn’t follow it with another move. He doesn’t create opportunities or put pressure on the OL. He doesn’t have the speed to threaten around the edge and I didn’t see flexibility to corner at the top of the arc. He would occasionally get under the OT’s pads and be able to bull him into the pocket. It was quite lackluster all around. It the first game I watched because he had 3 sacks but those were generally where he got stopped at the LOS and chased down the QB after he left the pocket.
Vs Bowling Green vs the RT he starts wide and tries to yank him out of the way but doesn’t get much movement.
Vs Bowling Green he’s the 3 tech vs the RG. He clubs with the right arm and gets some push to the inside before stepping outside when the QB steps up to force the throw.
At California he rushes vs the LT and isn’t gaining ground but sees the QB scramble and give chase across the field to keep the gain short
At Arizona vs the RT tackle he shows a solid punch to get him off balance and uses a long arm to the inside to get pressure.
Jelks looks like a project to me. Moving to the edge full time would be first place you try. His size and length fits nicely there but he would need to add play strength to take on blocks and develop a pass rush plan. The other option would be to make him a WLB allowing him to react and chase while having to deal with fewer blockers. Either way I wouldn’t put him on my list of late round guys the Steelers should draft.
Projection: Late day 3
Games Watched: 2017 – At Arizona State; 2018 – Vs Bowling Green, At California, At Arizona, Vs Michigan State
