DeShon Elliott Bio
DeShon Elliott (born April 21, 1997) is an American professional football safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Texas Longhorns and was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. Elliott has established himself as a reliable defensive back across four NFL franchises, known for his physical style of play and ability to contribute in multiple facets of the secondary.
Early Life and Background
DeShon Elliott was born on April 21, 1997, in Dallas, Texas. He attended Rockwall-Heath High School in Heath, Texas, where he developed into a standout football player. His exceptional play at the high school level attracted attention from major college programs across the country. Elliott ultimately chose to continue his academic and athletic career at the University of Texas, committing to play for the Texas Longhorns.
At Rockwall-Heath High School, Elliott showcased the skills that would define his collegiate and professional career. His performance as a high school safety demonstrated his range, instincts, and physicality against opposing offenses. These attributes made him a prized recruit for the Longhorns program and set the foundation for his transition to major college football.
Path to Professional Football
Elliott enrolled at the University of Texas in 2015 and immediately contributed as a true freshman. He appeared in seven games during his debut season, recording 13 tackles and intercepting two passes. His sophomore year saw increased playing time as he appeared in 12 games, making one start while accumulating 30 tackles, one interception, and one sack.
His junior season in 2017 proved to be his breakthrough campaign at Texas. Elliott delivered an impressive performance that earned him recognition as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, given annually to the nation’s top collegiate defensive back. He was subsequently named a unanimous All-American and earned first-team All-Big 12 honors. Following the 2017 season, Elliott made the decision to forgo his senior year and enter the 2018 NFL draft.
DeShon Elliott Career
College Career (2015–2017)
Elliott’s three seasons at Texas showcased steady development from a promising freshman to one of the nation’s top safety prospects. His ability to cover ground, read quarterbacks, and contribute in run support made him a complete player entering the NFL. The experience gained against Big 12 offenses provided valuable preparation for the professional level.
Baltimore Ravens (2018–2021)
The Baltimore Ravens selected Elliott in the sixth round with the 190th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft. He signed a four-year contract worth $2.61 million in May 2018. His rookie season was cut short when he suffered a fractured forearm during training camp in August. The injury required placement on injured reserve, and Elliott missed his entire rookie campaign while the Ravens finished 10-6 and advanced to the playoffs.
Elliott spent 2019 working to earn a roster spot behind veteran safeties. He made his NFL debut in Week 1 against the Miami Dolphins, recording one tackle in a 59-10 victory. However, a knee injury in Week 6 forced him to injured reserve in October, limiting him to just six games and six tackles that season. His opportunities remained limited behind established starters.
The 2020 season marked Elliott’s emergence as a full-time starter. When the Ravens released Earl Thomas following a training camp incident, Elliott stepped into the starting free safety role alongside Chuck Clark. He earned his first career start in Week 1 against the Cleveland Browns and recorded his first career sack in Week 2 against the Houston Texans. Elliott started all 16 regular season games, finishing with 80 combined tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles. He also appeared in both playoff games as the Ravens advanced to the Divisional Round.
In 2021, Elliott continued as the starting free safety but suffered a season-ending biceps and pectoral injury in Week 8 against the Minnesota Vikings. He recorded 21 tackles and his first career interception in just six games before the injury prematurely ended his Ravens tenure.
Detroit Lions (2022)
Following his injury-plagued 2021 season, Elliott signed with the Detroit Lions on a one-year contract worth $1.1 million in April 2022. He entered training camp as the projected starting free safety and earned the role to begin the regular season alongside Tracy Walker. Elliott responded with his most complete statistical season to that point, appearing in 14 games with 13 starts.
His standout performance came in Week 5 against the New England Patriots when he recorded a season-high 12 combined tackles and intercepted a pass from Bailey Zappe. Elliott finished the 2022 season with 96 total tackles, three pass deflections, one interception, and one forced fumble. The Lions’ coaching staff relied on him heavily as he logged significant snaps in their defensive secondary.
Miami Dolphins (2023)
Elliott joined the Miami Dolphins in March 2023, signing a fully guaranteed one-year contract worth $1.77 million. He competed with former Texas teammate Brandon Jones for the starting free safety position during training camp. New defensive coordinator Vic Fangio selected Elliott as the starter alongside Jevon Holland.
The 2023 season featured several standout performances from Elliott. In the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers, he recorded a season-high 13 combined tackles in a 36-34 victory. He continued his productive play throughout the year, including a game against the Buffalo Bills in Week 18 where he recorded ten tackles, deflected a pass, and intercepted a throw from Josh Allen. Elliott finished with 82 combined tackles, seven pass deflections, and one interception in 15 starts. His performance earned him a Pro Football Focus grade of 72.6 for the season.
Pittsburgh Steelers Era (2024–Present)
On March 14, 2024, Elliott signed a two-year contract worth $6 million with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He entered training camp as the de facto starting strong safety, replacing Damontae Kazee. Head coach Mike Tomlin named Elliott the starter alongside free safety Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Elliott made an immediate impact in his Steelers debut. In the season opener against the Atlanta Falcons, he recorded four combined tackles, deflected two passes, and intercepted a pass from Kirk Cousins intended for Drake London during an 18-10 victory. He continued his strong play through the first half of the season, including a 14-tackle performance against the Cleveland Browns in Week 14. Elliott finished the 2024 season with a career-high 108 combined tackles, six pass deflections, three fumble recoveries, two forced fumbles, and one interception in 15 games with 14 starts.
In June 2025, Elliott signed a two-year contract extension worth $12.5 million, with $9.21 million guaranteed, reflecting the Steelers’ confidence in his contributions to the secondary. The extension secured his long-term future with the organization.
Playing Style and Strengths
Elliott is recognized as a physical defender who brings versatility to the safety position. His size at 6 feet and 210 pounds allows him to match up against tight ends and running backs in coverage. He has demonstrated the ability to play both free safety and strong safety, adapting to different defensive schemes throughout his career. Elliott’s zone coverage skills and willingness to support against the run have made him a reliable option for multiple coaching staffs.
Notable Events and Milestones
Throughout his career, Elliott has navigated several significant moments. His first career interception against Justin Herbert in 2021 represented a milestone achievement while playing for the Ravens. The play demonstrated his ability to read quarterbacks and create turnovers in crucial moments. His Week 1 interception in his Steelers debut immediately established him as an impact player for his new team.
DeShon Elliott Career Statistics
Across seven NFL seasons with the Baltimore Ravens, Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins, and Pittsburgh Steelers, Elliott has established himself as a durable and productive defensive player. His ability to stay healthy for full seasons has been a notable trend in recent years.
NFL Highlights
Elliott’s most productive season came in 2024 with the Steelers, where he recorded a career-high 108 combined tackles. His 2020 season with the Ravens showcased his versatility with 80 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two forced fumbles while starting all 16 games. His 2023 season with the Dolphins demonstrated consistency with 82 tackles and seven pass deflections across 15 starts.
Career Totals
Through the 2024 NFL season, Elliott has appeared in 74 career games with 61 starts. He has recorded 433 career tackles, 4.5 sacks, 25 pass deflections, five interceptions, six forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. His ability to contribute in multiple statistical categories reflects his well-rounded skill set as a defensive back.
| Season | Team | Games | Starts | Combined Tackles | Sacks | Interceptions | Pass Deflections |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Baltimore Ravens | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | Baltimore Ravens | 6 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 | Baltimore Ravens | 16 | 16 | 80 | 2.5 | 0 | 4 |
| 2021 | Baltimore Ravens | 6 | 6 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022 | Detroit Lions | 14 | 13 | 96 | 0 | 1 | 3 |
| 2023 | Miami Dolphins | 15 | 15 | 82 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| 2024 | Pittsburgh Steelers | 15 | 14 | 108 | 0 | 1 | 6 |
DeShon Elliott Personal Life
Family and Background
Elliott grew up in the Dallas, Texas area where his athletic abilities were evident from his time at Rockwall-Heath High School. His journey from Texas high school football to the NFL represents a pathway shared by many successful professional athletes from the Lone Star State. His commitment to the University of Texas placed him in a position to develop against top collegiate competition.
Professional Recognition
Elliott earned significant recognition during his collegiate career at Texas. His unanimous All-American selection in 2017 highlighted him as one of the top defensive players in college football. The first-team All-Big 12 honor reinforced his status as the premier safety in one of the nation’s most competitive conferences. These accolades contributed to his draft positioning and established expectations for his professional career.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season began with Elliott having secured a substantial contract extension with the Pittsburgh Steelers in June, valued at two years and $12.5 million with $9.21 million guaranteed. The extension reflected the organization’s investment in his leadership and on-field production from the 2024 campaign. Elliott entered the season as a established starter in the Steelers secondary alongside Minkah Fitzpatrick.
Elliott suffered a hyperextended knee injury in Week 8 against the Green Bay Packers. The injury required extended recovery time, and the Steelers placed him on injured reserve on October 31, 2025. The injury marked a setback for Elliott after his resurgent 2024 season where he posted career-high numbers. The timeline for his return remained focused on ensuring full recovery before his potential return to the lineup.