Jonah Elliss Breaking Out For Broncos

Denver Broncos rookie EDGE Jonah Elliss has broken out of his shell in recent weeks. The third-round defender sacked Cleveland Browns quarterback Jameis Winston in Monday's thrilling victory. It was Elliss' third straight game with a sack. He's turning into a legitimate contributor for a playoff contender.

Elliss’ sack on Winston highlighted his red-hot motor. He lined up opposite the right tackle and showcased terrific hustle to chase down a scrambling Winston on the opposite side of the field. Elliss didn't give up on the play and recorded the takedown before Winston reached the original line of scrimmage. The Browns punted two plays later.

Elliss has been productive despite being reduced to a rotational role. The former Utah Utes standout has totaled just 200 pass-rushing snaps all season long. In total, Elliss has averaged just 26 snaps per game. He's managed to make an impact by maximizing his opportunities.

Elliss is now tied for third on the Broncos in sacks with five quarterback traps. Only Nik Bonitto (11) and Jonathon Cooper (8) are ahead. Zach Allen and John Franklin-Myers have also recorded five sacks, giving defensive coordinator Vance Joseph a slew of pass-rushing options.

Braden Fiske is now the only rookie defender with more sacks (6.0) than Elliss. Jared Verse, the potential Defensive Rookie of the Year, actually has a half-sack less (4.5) than Elliss. It puts Denver's surging defender into perspective.

Elliss' 15 pressures rank sixth among all rookie defensive linemen. In fairness, the five defenders in front of him have played significantly more defensive snaps than he has. But other metrics indicate Elliss is still growing as a pass rusher.

Elliss' pass-rush-win-percent (WIN%) of 7.2% ranks ninth among rookie defensive linemen, according to Pro Football Focus. For perspective, it's nowhere near the win rates of top-performing rookies Chop Robinson (20.6), Verse (18.8), and Laiatu Latu (14.2). Elliss has been very efficient in turning his pressures into sacks, but he's not winning his snaps as consistently as the cream-of-the-crop are.

Eliss has gotten red-hot from Week 11 onward though. His three sacks over that time frame are tied with Fiske for the rookie lead. Miraculously, Eliss has recorded just one pressure (four total) that didn't result in a quarterback takedown. His win rate has actually been lower (6.1%) than his season-long mark of 7.2%. It indicates the Broncos are utilizing Elliss appropriately. He's not been consistent enough to earn an every-down role. Rotating him in behind more experienced, productive rushers like Bonitto and Cooper offers Elliss chances to convert his limited opportunities into impact plays.

Ellis’ recent has been a much-welcomed development for an 8-5 Broncos team that’s inching towards clinching a postseason berth. It’s also worth noting that veteran defensive linemen Bonitto, Allen, and Franklin-Myers will be entering contract seasons in 2025. Bonitto will likely be the priority, but Denver can’t keep all of their pass rushers. They’ll need Elliss to play a larger role as the years progress forward.

Look for Elliss to continue making an impact down a critical end-of-season stretch.