The Utah Football program led by Kenny Whitingham has always been an underappreciated NFL hub. And true to form, Whittingham has unearthed yet another gem in the 2024 NFL Draft – a three-star recruit named Jonah Elliss.
Elliss initially played a key reserve role in his first two years, showcasing his skills in 20 games where he was responsible for four sacks and seven tackles for loss. However, it wasn’t until he became a full-time starter that he truly shone, exploding onto the field and amassing an impressive 37 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, and 12 sacks. With his impressive pass rush arsenal, quickness, and football pedigree, there is no doubt that Jonah Elliss has the potential to be an effective pass rusher in the NFL. However, can Jonah Elliss be worth a first-round pick? Let’s dig into the film!
Jonah Elliss NFL Draft Overview
Position: Outside Linebacker
Height: 6’2 (Unofficial)
Weight: 246 lbs (Unofficial)
Age: 20 years old
School: Utah Utes
Jonah Elliss Player Evaluation
Elliss’s Strengths
- Good first step and has NFL-level speed around the edge.
- Best Spin move in the draft and His best move. He also has an excellent pass-rush arsenal with nice hand swipes, rips, and dips.
- Has a solid bull rush. Flashes push and pull also move, showing his untapped potential in his strength.
- He has a pass-rush plan and knows how to set up his moves with a purpose. He is very confident with his hands when hand-fighting with opposing offensive linemen.
- Excellent Motor. Will be able to succeed in getting coverage sacks and effort sacks.
- Physical vs the run and doesn’t fall for tricks.
Elliss’s Weakness
- Although he has reasonable effort vs. the run, he will be picked on due to lack of mass and strength in his lower body—struggles to set the edge vs. best competition.
- He is strictly a stand-up Outside Linebacker in an odd-front Defensive scheme.
- Does not have an elite bend. Average lateral quickness and tightness in his hips limit his bend and ability to execute stunts at a higher level.
- For two straight seasons, he missed games due to undisclosed injuries, including the 2023 injury that ended his season.
Projection: Late Second to Early Third Round Pick
NFL Comparison: Alex Highsmith
Best Fits: Los Angeles Rams and the Carolina Panthers.
Bottom Line
Jonah Ellis is an intriguing pass-rushing outside linebacker with pro-bowl potential. Elliss is not a day-one starter due to his inability to stop the run and set the edge. However, due to excellent first step, speed, motor, and pass-rush ability, Elliss can immediately contribute to pass-rushing downs.
The NFL Pro comparison for Elliss was Steeler Alex Highsmith. In Highsmith’s first year as a Steeler, he was primarily a rotational pass rusher. By year three, he was a Pro Bowl double-digit sack artist, and the same can be expected for Elliss. Both have reasonable first steps, speed around the edge, and an impressive pass-rush plan and moves. Like Highsmith, Ellis will play in an odd front scheme.
Some good team fits are the Los Angeles Rams next to Aaron Donald or the Carolina Panthers to replace Brian Burns possibly. Elliss has tremendous potential and should be drafted in the late second round.
Main Image: Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports
