Broncos Wire‘s 90-man offseason roster series continues today with a look at second-year outside linebacker Jonah Elliss, No. 52.
Before the Broncos: Elliss (6-3, 232 pounds) was a three-year player for the Utah Utes, where he played 30 games. Elliss finished his collegiate career with 16.0 sacks, 23 tackles for losses and three forced fumbles.
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In 2023, Elliss was a consensus All-American after he had his best season. In the Pac-12’s final year, Elliss contributed 12 sacks, 16 tackles for losses, 37 total tackles (23 solo, 14 assisted), three pass breakups and one forced fumble.
Broncos tenure: Elliss’ strong 2023 campaign with the Utes led him to be selected by the Denver Broncos in the third round (76th overall) of the 2024 NFL draft. After making the 53-man roster in 2024, Elliss proved to be a disruptive force as a pass rusher. Elliss saw action in all 17 regular season games, as well as the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Buffalo Bills. After the Broncos’ playoff loss to the Bills, Elliss found that he had suffered a fractured scapula bone. In the offseason, Elliss had surgery to repair the injury, and he’s expected to be ready for training camp.
As a rotational pass rusher, Elliss recorded 38 total tackles (24 solo, 14 assisted, seven tackles for loss), six quarterback hits, five sacks and two pass breakups. Elliss’ strong rookie season was enough to make the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie team, the only Denver draft pick to do so in 2024.
Chances to make the 53-man roster: Lock. Elliss is poised to become an even bigger part of the Broncos’ defensive rotation alongside fellow pass rushers Jonathon Cooper and Nik Bonitto in 2025. Elliss will look to build on his five-sack campaign from last season, and he’ll eventually aim to win a starting role in Denver.
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This article originally appeared on Broncos Wire: Denver Broncos: Jonah Elliss looks to build on strong rookie season