From now until the 2026 NFL Draft, we will scout and create profiles for as many prospects as possible, examining their strengths, weaknesses, and what they can bring to an NFL franchise. These players could be potential top-10 picks, down to Day 3 selections, and priority undrafted free agents. Today, a scouting report on Arizona State LB Keyshaun Elliott.
No. 44 KEYSHAUN ELLIOTT/LINEBACKER, ARIZONA STATE (SENIOR) – 6020/231
Measurements
Player Ht/Wt Hand Size Arm Length Wingspan
Keyshaun Elliott 6020/231 9 1/4 31 1/4 N/A
40-Yard Dash 10-Yard Dash Short Shuttle 3-Cone
N/A N/A N/A N/A
Broad Jump Vertical Bench Press
10’5″ 38 21
THE GOOD
– Understands assignment and does his job
– Scrapes through line to make tackles
– Has a high motor and is a team leader
– Decent gap discipline
– Solid contact balance taking on blocks
– Good downhill speed
– Good awareness in zone coverage
– Gets in throwing windows
– Good ball skills
– Has special teams’ ability
THE BAD
– Average athleticism limits the amount of production
– Bad block shedding ability
– If an offensive lineman gets attached, he will be out of the play
– Buries head when taking on blocks
– Struggles to make tackles when engaged
– Can get displaced from gap by stronger offensive lineman
– Struggles to hold edge in bear front
– Leaves feet too early when tackling
– Slow change of direction hurts ability to make tackles in space
– Does not get collisions in zone coverage
– Average lateral speed
– Does not have speed to cover tight ends and running backs in man coverage
STATS
– Started 20 games across 2 seasons at Arizona State. Transferred from New Mexico State, where he started 16 games across 2 seasons
– 2025: 98 tackles, 14 TFL, 7 sacks, 2 PBUs
– Career: 301 tackles, 28.5 TFL, 11.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 10 PBUs, 1 interception
INJURY HISTORY
– 2024: Dealt with lingering injuries and suffered a neck injury vs UCF that took him out of the game
BACKGROUND
– Turns 23 in December of 2026
– Received 2025 and 2024 Second Team All-Big 12 Honors
– Earned C-USA Second Team Honors in 2023
– Three-star recruit out of Richmond High School in Missouri
– Ranked the No. 23 player in Missouri
– Played quarterback, linebacker, and punter, and was named All-Conference three times. Named First-Team All-State at linebacker and punter
– Also competed in basketball and track
– Won Missouri State Championship in the 4×200 relay
– Elliott has stated he models his game after his favorite player, Fred Warner
TAPE BREAKDOWN
Keyshaun Elliott is an extremely smart player who understands offensive schemes to help his team win, but his limited athleticism hinders his ability to be a consistently productive player. He does the right thing on most plays from a mental standpoint, but his physical abilities do not line up with where his head is at.
A perfect example of this is his gap discipline: he knows where to be to stop the run, but if he is engaged by an offensive lineman, he can get moved from his gap. His block-shedding ability is nonexistent and takes him out of position to make tackles. Here, he is working towards his gap, but gets displaced.
If a slower offensive lineman is working towards him, he can avoid the block with short-area quickness, but this is rare because he is not the fastest player. What works in his favor is the ability to recognize the run scheme early and beat the offensive lineman to the spot, allowing him to make the tackle.
When he is in position to make tackles, he does not adjust well to the ball carrier making a move. He has slow change-of-direction ability, and it comes up in the box and in space.
He also leaves his feet too early when tackling, probably because he feels like he cannot meet the ball carrier straight up because of his limited speed. His average lateral speed and change of direction give the offense explosive plays, and the Utah quarterback scores a touchdown because Elliott cannot make a tackle.
In coverage, Elliott has the same strengths and weaknesses as in the run game. He knows his job and is in the right spot, but it seems like he is a tick late reacting to throws and cannot deflect passes.
He can get in the way of throwing windows when the route is around him, but when he must run to cover a route, it takes a while for him to get to his spot. When he is a hook dropper, and there is an underneath route, he does a good job of pinching down quickly and getting his hand in the receiver’s body to knock the ball away. Here, he reacts quickly and shows good ball skills.
The biggest problem I have with Elliot’s coverage is his inability to get collisions in zone coverage. He is not athletic enough to keep up with routes downfield, so he needs to help himself by moving receivers off their spots to disrupt timing.
Once again, he gives up huge plays for his team in crucial moments because of these issues. Here, he is in a great position to guard the spot route, but lets the tight end readjust to get downfield, giving up a touchdown in a big spot.
CONCLUSION
Keyshaun Elliott is a hardworking team leader who understands his role and does it to the best of his ability. The issue is that his athleticism and play strength are not sufficient to be a starter in the NFL. He does not possess the speed in coverage or block-shedding ability to be on the field at all times.
He will be a good backup and has special teams’ ability due to his effort and willingness to do the dirty work, but he will not be a productive starter because of athletic limitations.
NFL Projection: Late Day 2
Steelers Depot Grade: 6.7 (Pure Backup)
Grade Range: 6.4-7.2
Games Watched: at Baylor (2025), at Utah (2025), vs Texas Tech (2025), vs West Virginia (2025)
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