Texans S Jalen Pitre LAYS THE WOOD like Ed Reed: Film Breakdown
In this film breakdown, we take a look at Houston Texans 2nd-year safety Jalen Pitre.
Jalen Pitre was one of the most productive safeties in the NFL last season, tallying 147 combined tackles, 5 interceptions, 4 pass breakups, 31 stops, and 5 tackles for loss. He is a very hard hitter, that has great instincts when it comes to breaking on routes, identifying plays, and meeting receivers at the catch point. Pitre has work to do when identifying certain route concepts, but I expect him to continue to improve in that area. Although he stacks and sheds blocks like a linebacker, and hits like it too, he had one of the worst tackling seasons in NFL history last year. He had a 20.3% missed tackle rate, with 36 total missed on the year. If he can become a more reliable tackler and last line of defense in the secondary, he could become one of the better safeties in the league.
Texans S Jalen Pitre Film Breakdown
Strengths:
Explosive Speed: Pitre demonstrates supreme speed, allowing him to swiftly close in on the ball carrier in an instant.
Lateral Range: Pitre has the ability to patrol laterally with remarkable range, enabling him to disrupt plays and effectively blow up screens.
Zone Coverage Proficiency: Pitre excels in short and intermediate zone coverage, displaying excellent instincts and positioning to defend against passes in his area.
Hybrid "Star" Role: In Dave Aranda's defense, Pitre played the "star" position, a hybrid safety that possesses the versatility to also function as an outside linebacker in most 4-3 schemes. This role highlights his adaptability and the trust placed in him to contribute in different defensive formations.
Weaknesses:
Coverage Skills: Pitre has good, but not elite, coverage skills. It's important to note that he may not be the ideal choice for covering speedier receivers deep. He can struggle in man coverage and is better suited for a zone scheme.
Block Shedding: Pitre has a cornerback body but needs to continue getting stronger to be more effective at shedding blocks. Improving his strength will enhance his ability to disengage from blockers and make plays.
Reaction Time: Pitre can be inconsistent when it comes to getting off blocks. At times, he can be a step slow to react when a quarterback comes back to his side of the field late in the progression. Developing quicker reaction times will improve his overall effectiveness.
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