Former Texas S DeShon Elliott signs with the Detroit Lions
While the bulk of the action in this cycle of free agency in the NFL this offseason is in the rearview mirror concerning former Texas football players, there is still some movement worth noting this week. And the most notable former Texas player on the move in free agency this week is the former All-American safety DeShon Elliott.
An official release from the Detroit Lions on April 14 announced that the team has signed the former Baltimore Ravens safety Elliott out of free agency. Elliott was reportedly signed after going through unrestricted free agency for the first time in his NFL career.
This will be the second team that Elliott plays for in his NFL career to date. He spent the first three years of his pro career playing for the Ravens. And in the last two seasons, Elliott was a regular starter in Baltimore’s secondary at the safety position.
Ex-Texas football safety DeShon Elliott signs a deal with the Detroit Lions
During his four years playing for the Ravens, Elliott started in 22 games and played in 28 total. He registered 109 combined tackles in those three seasons, six tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, eight quarterback hits, two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups, and one interception.
Moreover, Elliott will be looking to rebound after a 2021 campaign where he dealt with injury issues before he was placed on injured reserve in early November. That was also the second time in Elliott’s career to date when he was placed on injured reserve.
He missed the entirety of his rookie campaign back in 2018 due to injury issues.
Elliott was originally picked by the Ravens 190th overall in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He’s had a good career thus far when healthy. And maybe he can continue to be one of the more underrated safeties in the NFL if he can adapt well with the Lions.
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Last season, the Lions finished up with a record of 3-13 as one of the worst teams in the NFL. Elliott will be looking to help improve a pass defense this year that ranked 26th in the league in 2021.