Shaun Ellis

Shaun Ellis

46-Year-Old Defensive EndDE
 Free Agent  
2023 Fantasy Outlook
There was no outlook written for Shaun Ellis in 2023. Check out the latest news below for more on his current fantasy value.
$Signed by the Patriots in August of 2011.
DENew England Patriots
Ribs
November 13, 2011
Ellis (ribs) is active for Sunday’s game against the Jets.
ANALYSIS
Good news for the Pats' D-line depth, but Ellis is averaging just a tackle a game heading into Week 10.
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NFL Stats
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2023 Shaun Ellis Split Stats
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2011
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2009
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2003
While the 34-year-old Ellis may have lost a step, he still represents a significant -- and needed -- boost to the Patriots' DE corps. The ex-Jet can hold his own against the run and more importantly from New England's perspective, he adds an effective pass-rushing dynamic to the D-line mix. Moreover, his ability to work in both the 4-3 and 3-4 is a plus for the team, given that the Patriots' defense employs both.
Rex Ryan’s defense produced some impressive team stats in 2009, but didn’t have any real IDP stars. This season, Ryan will make quarterback pressure a major focus, and that could benefit Ellis’ fantasy numbers. So could the return of DT Kris Jenkins — who missed half of last year with a torn ACL — the addition of pass-rush specialist Jason Taylor and a secondary that could be the league’s best. Ellis only had 6.5 sacks last season, but among defensive linemen with as many sacks, his 53 tackles ranked fifth. If won’t take much improvement in both sacks and tackles to vault Ellis up the D-Linemen rankings.
The transition from Herm Edwards’ “Tampa 2” defense to Eric Mangini’s 3-4 was long and painful for Jet players (and Jet fans). But last season, with the addition of tackle Kris Jenkins, everything finally seemed to click for Gang Green, and veteran defensive end Shaun Ellis was one of the biggest beneficiaries. Ellis had a big bounce-back season in 2008, posting eight sacks – his highest total since 2004 – and 60 tackles – his best number since 2003. Ellis is aging – he’ll be 32 when the season starts – and had minor offseason knee surgery. But the adjustment to another defensive scheme with the arrival of new head coach Rex Ryan shouldn’t be as tough because Ryan also ran a 3-4 attack as Baltimore’s defensive coordinator.
While still a valuable part of the Jets' defensive line, Ellis is no longer a threat to notch double-digit sack totals like he was earlier in his career. Unless he can prove to be back to his 2003-04 form, there's no reason to add him to any IDP rosters.
After rolling up 23.5 sacks in 2003-04, Ellis suffered through a down 2005 (2.5 sacks), in part because of a nagging hamstring injury. It will be interesting to see how he adjusts to the new Jets defensive scheme, which isn't ideally suited for him.
While his end counterpart John Abraham keeps getting hurt or hassling over his contract, Ellis, except for missing one game with a groin injury last season, has played 16 games every year of his career and is signed to a nice long-term deal. At 6-5, 285 pounds, Ellis is big for an end, which helps him rack up 40-plus tackles per 16 games to go with great sack numbers. Should something go wrong and Abraham get hurt or hold out, Ellis would face more double-teams, but the status quo is a good one.
Ellis never did this before: He crushed a QB in each of the first eight games of the year and 10 of the first 11. All told, Ellis finished 2003 with a commanding 49 solo tackles and 12.5 sacks to reach the top five at the position. He’s had years of less than half of that production, which is why we’ve rated him cautiously.
Starts at left end for the Jets and figures to improve on the four sacks he registered in 2002.
More Fantasy News
DENew England Patriots
Ribs
November 6, 2011
Ellis (ribs) is inactive for Sunday's game against the Giants.
ANALYSIS
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DENew England Patriots
Ribs
November 2, 2011
Ellis suffered bruised ribs in last Sunday's loss to the Steelers and could miss this week's game against the Giants, the Boston Herald reports.
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DENew England Patriots
Hip
August 20, 2011
Ellis (hip) has been activated from the PUP list, ESPN.com's Mike Reiss reports.
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DENew England Patriots
Hip
August 9, 2011
Ellis (hip) has been placed on the Patriots' reserve/physically unable to perform list, the Boston Globe reports.
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DENew England Patriots
August 7, 2011
The Patriots have come to terms with Ellis on a one-year deal, the Boston Herald reports.
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