2019 WorldWide Rams Draft Profile: Jalen Jelks | Oregon | EDGE

WorldWide Rams

Doug Nelson

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Jalen Jelks
EDGE
HOMETOWN              |            CLASS
Phoenix, AZ                |             Senior

DRAFT YR:  2019     COMBINE INVITE: YES





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Player Bio:  The three-star recruit out of High School in Phoenix, Arizona, He was considered the ninth-best high school player in the state and played offensive guard as well as defensive tackle. Started his college career as a defensive tackle, but a lack of size forced him outside. Had 15 career sacks at Oregon, where he played his last two seasons in a hybrid 3-4 defense. Jelks finished his senior year with 57 tackles (7 ½  for loss), and 3 ½ sacks for the season.

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​​Jalen Jelks
EDGE 
SCHOOL:  OREGON      |      CONFERENCE:  PAC 12       
HEIGHT/WEIGHT:  6-5  / 256         ARMS: 34 5/8"         HANDS: 9 5/8”        40: 4.85          

COMBINE RESULTS
BENCH |   40 YD DASH  |   VERTICAL JUMP  |  BROAD JUMP |   3 CONE DRILL   |    20 YD SHUTTLE  |   60 YD SHUTTLE
​     19     |         19             |              32.5"           |           113"         |             7.22           |             4.59              |             N/A

PRO-DAY RESULTS
BENCH:  N/A |  40:  N/A  |  VERTICAL JUMP:  N/A  |  BROAD JUMP:  N/A   (Pro-Day TBD)

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Game Film:
#97 Jalen Jelks vs. Stanford (2018)

Strengths: Exceptionally quick off the ball, and at 6'5", 256 has excellent size and length. While his primary duty if selected by the Los Angeles Rams, would be pressuring the quarterback as an edge rusher, he also was a staunch run defender in college, notching 27 run-stops last season, the most of any edge player in the Pac-12. Jelks also broke up many passes at Oregon. Despite being 6'5 is surprisingly good at getting low leverage. Was very productive in one of the nation's top conferences, and has experience playing against top talent in big games. Generally considered a smart player who hustles. An unselfish player who came back for his senior year at Oregon when many thought he could have been a first or second round pick coming out as a junior. Plays faster than his 40 times would indicate.

Weaknesses: Jelks did not do himself any favors at the Senior Bowl or the NFL combine, putting in generally poor performances at both events. Nobody expects a guy his size to be a "burner," but a 40-yard dash time of 4.92 is just not very good no matter how you look at it. Jelks was at one time considered a potential first-round pick but has been sliding down the draft boards to the point where many now see him as a likely third or fourth rounder. Some scouts think he needs to develop more pass rush moves and get stronger to play well on Sundays.
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Draft Grade:  5.53 (could become an NFL starter).

Draft Projection:  ​3rd-5th Round

Does He Fit?:  Jelks is a compelling case, one of those players who cannot be considered a ''workout warrior" but who was productive at a top program in a top conference. Many scouts consider him as a project, but there is a lot to like about Jalen Jelks. Rams defensive coordinator Wade Phillips has a history of getting the most out of players such as Jelks.

Whether his fit is with the Rams may depend on whether they re-sign Dante Fowler. Recent reports indicate Fowler may be back in a Rams uniform in 2019, and if that occur the chances for a guy like Jelks probably diminish. Another question mark here is what will the Rams coaching staff thinks of Ogbonnia Okoronkwo, injured (broken foot) for part of his rookie season in 2018 and never really got going after his return. If Fowler returns and Okoronkwo is the player the Rams thought he could be after being selected from Oklahoma; I do not see the Rams selecting Jelks. However, if either of those questions gets answered in a negative capacity, we could see Jelks selected by the Rams at the 2019 NFL Draft next month.
 
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NFL COMPARISON: Jason Taylor
 

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