Broncos Rookie Watch: Jonah Elliss Makes a Splash in NFL Debut

The Denver Broncos have been keeping a close eye on their rookie class, and one player who has been making waves is outside linebacker Jonah Elliss. The 21-year-old from the University of Utah made his professional debut last week in Indianapolis and did not disappoint.

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Elliss registered a sack and four additional pressures on only nine total pass-rush snaps, and it made heads turn. But what really stood out to his boss, head coach Sean Payton, was his ability to take on the run.

“He’s taking on the run, his run fits and then developing his rush plan,” Payton critiqued Elliss on Wednesday. “He was speed and then he had a counter in college, you saw it. Speed, speed with a spin and then it’s adding power to that. It’s developing his rush plan and certainly taking on the run, whether it’s point of attack or backside.”

“He’s taking on the run, his run fits and then developing his rush plan.” - Sean Payton

As a rookie, Elliss is still adjusting to life in the pros. He’s aware that the jump in talent levels is real, but he’s embracing the challenge.

“The skill level is like everyone is the best,” Elliss said after Wednesday’s practice. “It’s like high school, everyone in high school is the best. Goes to college, now it’s the best college players all in the NFL. It’s like you’re playing the best college team in the NFL, but it’s even better because now everything’s just one notch higher. So you could definitely tell there’s a difference out there, but it was football.”

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Elliss has notable NFL bloodlines, as his father Luther previously suited up for the Broncos. Carrying on the family tradition with the team is a cool subplot, but Elliss has already shown flashes of the kind of ability that’s got people talking.

Broncos legend Karl Mecklenburg is already a big fan.

“Some players stood out to me, with linebacker Jonah Elliss coming up with a couple of big plays on defense as a pass rusher,” Mecklenburg said on X. “It’s hard to grade a player from outside the building. I don’t know what his assignments were on those specific plays or what the call was in the huddle, but the people in the building know. They’ve already gone over that film, and each player has been graded both on technique and on assignment for each play. They’ve been patted on the back, and they’ve been chewed out in front of their teammates. Everyone knows what is acceptable and what isn’t. Everyone understands what is exceptional and what isn’t.”

“Some players stood out to me, with linebacker Jonah Elliss coming up with a couple of big plays on defense as a pass rusher.” - Karl Mecklenburg

For Payton, the old adage always that you can never have enough pass rushers applies. Having Elliss in the rotation is a real bonus.

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Mecklenburg’s sage words resonate on the best path to developing the raw talent of an intelligent and willing pupil such as Elliss. It also applies massively to how Payton and company are planning to bring up many younger players who will form a large part of the Broncos’ new-look roster in 2024.

As the Broncos continue to develop their young talent, one thing is clear: Jonah Elliss is a name to watch.