Packers 2016 Recap: OLB Jayrone Elliott

2016 Stats

• Played in 9 games
• 19 tackles, 1 sack
• Pro Football Focus: 48.4/100

Expectations going into the season: Moderate
Expectations were: Met

Analysis: No one knows who Elliott is after three NFL seasons

Dating website eHarmony says the happiest marriages begin 2.8 years after romantic interest appears. Outside linebacker Jayrone Elliott has now played three years for the Packers, and Green Bay hasn’t put a ring on it.

It was hard being Jayrone Elliott in 2016. In training camp, it seemed like he was the odd man out in a group of pass rushers that included rookie Kyler Fackrell and an ascending Nick Perry. Then, Elliott broke his hand and missed seven games.

"He's a slithery guy," defensive coordinator Dom Capers said of Elliott. “Some guys have brute strength, and other guys are hard to block. They can get off the block. It's one of the things that helps him as a pass rusher. When he rushes he can kind of get on the edge and then get skinny."

Elliott still made an impact defensively. He recorded 3.5 “stuffs,” a stat for a tackle at or behind the line of scrimmage. That’s more than Clay Matthews (2.5), Datone Jones (2) or Julius Peppers (1) had last season, according to Scout.com.

The Packers were one of the league’s best run-stopping defenses in the early part of the season, and Elliott was certainly part of why.

Playing time has been inexplicably hard to come by in his three years with the team. Why? As one of the only linebackers to play on the kick return team, the energy Elliott uses on special teams can quickly wear him down in a game.

"He's a young guy who will do nothing but get better," said Capers of the young outside linebacker. “He's conscientious. He's smart."

Maybe after a breakout fourth season, the Packers will commit to Jayrone Elliott.