Thanks for the Elemental Evil update, Treeantmonk. I think you are undervaluing Absorb Elements.
The resistance isn't late at all. It reduces the damage you take from that attack. From the spell description:
Clearly the resistance isn't late, it's right on time. Melee vs. non-melee, meh, who cares about the bonus 1d6 damage. What the wizard cares about is that when the Ancient Red Dragon breathes on him for 91 points of damage, and he fails his Dex save (90% likely), instead of taking 91 points of damage he casts Absorb Elements and takes 45 instead.
It's a pretty fantastically good reaction spell to have access to, so much so that I don't let my players have it unless they find it in treasure. It's like a permanent "Resistance to All Elements" spell with no Concentration issues.