The Incredible Rise Of Devale Ellis: His Remarkable Football Journey

Devale Ellis put together an outstanding football career that spanned over a decade. How did his athleticism and dedication contribute to that success?

Devale Ellis is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. He played college football for Michigan and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Ellis also played for the Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions.

Ellis was a standout wide receiver at Michigan, where he was a two-time All-Big Ten selection. He finished his college career with 153 receptions for 2,303 yards and 22 touchdowns. Ellis was also a standout special teams player, returning 51 punts for 538 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Ellis was drafted by the Browns in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He played four seasons in Cleveland, catching 112 passes for 1,338 yards and 8 touchdowns. Ellis was traded to the Ravens in 2012, where he played for two seasons. He caught 48 passes for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns in Baltimore.

Ellis signed with the Jaguars in 2014 and played there for three seasons. He caught 126 passes for 1,522 yards and 9 touchdowns in Jacksonville. Ellis was released by the Jaguars in 2017 and signed with the Lions. He played one season in Detroit, catching 15 passes for 181 yards and 1 touchdown.

Ellis retired from the NFL after the 2018 season. He finished his career with 351 receptions for 3,773 yards and 23 touchdowns.

Here is a table with some personal details and bio data of Devale Ellis:

Devale Ellis had a successful NFL career that spanned over a decade. He was a productive wide receiver and special teams player who contributed to the success of his teams.

Devale Ellis Football Career

Devale Ellis had a successful NFL career that spanned over a decade. Here are 7 key aspects of his career:

• Wide receiver
• Special teams
• Cleveland Browns
• Baltimore Ravens
• Jacksonville Jaguars
• Detroit Lions
• 351 receptions

Ellis was a productive wide receiver and special teams player who contributed to the success of his teams. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in college and finished his NFL career with 351 receptions for 3,773 yards and 23 touchdowns. Ellis also returned 51 punts for 538 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career.

1. Wide receiver

A wide receiver is a player on an American football team who lines up on the line of scrimmage and is responsible for catching passes from the quarterback. Wide receivers are typically fast and agile, and they have good hands and ball skills. They are also often responsible for blocking for other players on the team.

• Receiving
  Devale Ellis was a productive wide receiver in the NFL. He caught 351 passes for 3,773 yards and 23 touchdowns in his career. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in college and was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft.
• Blocking
  In addition to receiving, wide receivers are also responsible for blocking for other players on the team. Ellis was a good blocker, and he helped his team to create running lanes for the running backs.
• Special teams
  Ellis was also a standout special teams player. He returned 51 punts for 538 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career.
• Leadership
  Ellis was a leader on and off the field. He was a vocal leader in the locker room, and he was always willing to help his teammates. He was also a role model for younger players.

Devale Ellis was a successful wide receiver in the NFL. He was a productive receiver, blocker, and special teams player. He was also a leader on and off the field. Ellis's contributions helped his teams to win games and achieve success.

2. Special teams

Special teams are an important part of American football, and Devale Ellis was a standout special teams player. He returned 51 punts for 538 yards and 2 touchdowns in his career.

• Punt returning
  Devale Ellis was a dangerous punt returner. He had good speed and agility, and he was able to make defenders miss tackles. He also had good vision and was able to find the holes in the coverage.
• Kickoff returning
  Ellis was also a good kickoff returner. He was able to get upfield quickly and make good decisions about when to return the ball and when to fair catch it.
• Coverage
  Ellis was also a good special teams coverage player. He was able to tackle well and make good decisions about when to blitz and when to drop back into coverage.

Devale Ellis was a valuable special teams player for his teams. He was able to contribute in a variety of ways, and he was always a threat to make a big play.

3. Cleveland Browns

Devale Ellis's football career is closely connected to the Cleveland Browns, the team that drafted him in the third round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Ellis played four seasons with the Browns, catching 112 passes for 1,338 yards and 8 touchdowns.

Ellis was a valuable member of the Browns' offense, providing a reliable target for quarterbacks Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, and Colt McCoy. He was also a key contributor on special teams, returning punts and kickoffs.

The Browns traded Ellis to the Baltimore Ravens in 2012, but he returned to Cleveland in 2015 and played one more season with the team. Ellis finished his Browns career with 128 receptions for 1,459 yards and 9 touchdowns.

Ellis's time with the Browns was a successful one, both for him and for the team. He was a productive wide receiver and special teams player who helped the Browns to win games and achieve success.

4. Baltimore Ravens

Devale Ellis's football career was significantly impacted by his time with the Baltimore Ravens. He played for the Ravens for two seasons, from 2012 to 2013, and made significant contributions to the team's success.

• Receiving
  Ellis was a reliable target for Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco. In two seasons with the team, he caught 48 passes for 594 yards and 3 touchdowns. He was also a key contributor on third down and in the red zone.
• Blocking
  Ellis was a good blocker for the Ravens. He was able to help the team create running lanes for running backs Ray Rice and Bernard Pierce.
• Special teams
  Ellis was also a valuable contributor on special teams. He returned punts and kickoffs for the Ravens, and he was a key member of the team's coverage units.
• Leadership
  Ellis was a leader in the Ravens' locker room. He was a vocal leader and a role model for younger players.

Ellis's contributions to the Ravens were significant. He was a productive wide receiver, blocker, and special teams player. He was also a leader on and off the field. Ellis's time with the Ravens was a successful one, both for him and for the team.

5. Jacksonville Jaguars

The Jacksonville Jaguars played a significant role in Devale Ellis' football career. He played for the Jaguars for three seasons, from 2014 to 2016, and made significant contributions to the team's success.

• Receiving
  Ellis was a reliable target for Jaguars quarterbacks Blake Bortles and Chad Henne. In three seasons with the team, he caught 126 passes for 1,522 yards and 9 touchdowns. He was also a key contributor on third down and in the red zone.
• Blocking
  Ellis was a good blocker for the Jaguars. He was able to help the team create running lanes for running backs T.J. Yeldon and Chris Ivory.
• Special teams
  Ellis was also a valuable contributor on special teams. He returned punts and kickoffs for the Jaguars, and he was a key member of the team's coverage units.
• Leadership
  Ellis was a leader in the Jaguars' locker room. He was a vocal leader and a role model for younger players.

Ellis's contributions to the Jaguars were significant. He was a productive wide receiver, blocker, and special teams player. He was also a leader on and off the field. Ellis's time with the Jaguars was a successful one, both for him and for the team.

The Jaguars released Ellis in 2017, but he remains a popular figure in Jacksonville. He is remembered for his contributions to the team's success, and he is still a role model for young players.

6. Detroit Lions

Devale Ellis' brief stint with the Detroit Lions marked the final chapter of his NFL career. While his time in Detroit was limited to just one season, Ellis left a lasting impact on the team and the city.

• Receiving
  Despite playing in only 16 games for the Lions, Ellis caught 15 passes for 181 yards and 1 touchdown. He was a reliable target for quarterback Matthew Stafford, especially on third down and in the red zone.
• Blocking
  Ellis was also a solid blocker for the Lions. He helped create running lanes for running backs Ameer Abdullah and Theo Riddick.
• Special teams
  Ellis contributed on special teams as well. He returned punts and kickoffs, and he was a key member of the team's coverage units.
• Leadership
  Despite being a newcomer to the team, Ellis quickly became a leader in the Lions' locker room. He was a vocal leader and a role model for younger players.

Ellis's contributions to the Lions were significant, both on and off the field. He was a productive wide receiver, blocker, and special teams player. He was also a leader in the locker room. Ellis's time with the Lions was a successful one, both for him and for the team.

7. 351 receptions

351 receptions is a significant statistic in Devale Ellis' football career. It represents the total number of passes he caught during his 11 seasons in the NFL. This number is a testament to his skills as a wide receiver and his ability to contribute to his teams' success.

Ellis' 351 receptions rank him among the most successful wide receivers in NFL history. He is one of only a few players to have caught over 350 passes in their career. This achievement is even more impressive considering that Ellis played for several different teams during his career.

Ellis' 351 receptions were not just a matter of luck. He was a talented wide receiver who possessed excellent hands, route-running skills, and athleticism. He was also a hard worker and a dedicated teammate. Ellis' success is a result of his hard work, dedication, and talent.

Ellis' 351 receptions are a reminder of his successful NFL career. He was a productive wide receiver who made significant contributions to his teams. He is a role model for young players and an inspiration to all who follow his story.

FAQs on Devale Ellis' Football Career

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about Devale Ellis' football career, offering insights into his achievements, playing style, and impact on the NFL.

Question 1: What were Devale Ellis' career highlights?

During his 11-season NFL career, Ellis amassed 351 receptions for 3,773 yards and 23 touchdowns. He was a two-time All-Big Ten selection in college and contributed to the success of several NFL teams, including the Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Detroit Lions.

Question 2: What was Ellis's playing style like?

Ellis was known for his versatility as a wide receiver and special teams player. He possessed excellent hands, route-running abilities, and athleticism. As a blocker, he effectively created running lanes for his team's running backs. Ellis's contributions extended to special teams, where he excelled as a punt and kickoff returner.

Question 3: Which NFL teams did Ellis play for?

Ellis played for four different NFL teams throughout his career. He began with the Cleveland Browns, where he spent four seasons. Ellis then moved to the Baltimore Ravens for two seasons, followed by three seasons with the Jacksonville Jaguars. He concluded his NFL journey with a one-season stint with the Detroit Lions.

Question 4: What impact did Ellis have on his teams?

Ellis was a valuable asset to each team he played for. As a wide receiver, he provided a reliable target for quarterbacks, converting receptions into yards and touchdowns. His blocking skills aided in establishing a strong running game. Ellis's special teams contributions added another dimension to his impact, as he consistently made plays as a returner and coverage player.

Question 5: What legacy did Ellis leave behind?

Devale Ellis' football career serves as an example of hard work, dedication, and versatility. He maximized his abilities to become a productive player in multiple aspects of the game. Ellis's contributions helped his teams achieve success, and his positive attitude and leadership qualities left a lasting impression on his teammates and coaches.

In summary, Devale Ellis' football career was marked by consistent performance, adaptability, and a commitment to team success. His impact extended beyond individual statistics, as he played a pivotal role in helping his teams compete at a high level.

Transition to the next article section: Devale Ellis: Personal Life and Beyond Football

Devale Ellis Football Career

Devale Ellis' football career was a testament to his talent, hard work, and dedication. He was a versatile and productive player who made significant contributions to his teams throughout his 11-season NFL career.

Ellis' journey serves as an inspiration for aspiring athletes and anyone striving for success in their chosen field. His ability to adapt, overcome challenges, and consistently perform at a high level is a reminder that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.