Atiyyah

Ellison

The 89th player taken in this year’s Draft passes Maurice Clarett as the highest player drafted this year not to make a team’s roster.

Ellison, a third-round pick, surprisingly made it through waivers. Cramer is a backup fullback.

Ellison was Carolina’s third-round pick.

He should immediatley be part of the defensive line rotation in Carolina.

Ellison had been on Baltimore’s practice squad. It’s uncertain whether the former third-round pick will be a tackle or an end in Mike Nolan’s system.

“I think maybe too much was expected. I think Rob is a terrific role player. He’s capable of certainly going in and playing 30 snaps a game,” Del Rio said. Derek Landri, Atiyyah Ellison, and rookie Terrance Knighton are candidates for more playing time.

It’s a promising development for Jacksonville. Knighton, the 72nd pick overall in April, has ideal size (6'3/321) to play nose tackle and occupy two blockers. The Jags can now use Rob Meier and Derek Landri in strict blitz situations.

John Henderson will be the other end and impressive rookie Terrance Knighton will be the full-time nose tackle. Quentin Groves and Derrick Harvey are the outside linebackers. The Jags used a lot of this alignment in Week 1 against the Colts, consistently stuffing Joseph Addai and Donald Brown.

Clayton ran well in San Francisco’s exhibition finale and has practice squad eligibility remaining. Zak Keasey will be their starting fullback in ’08.