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DETROIT — Jonah Elliss took a chance on himself.
The former Utes defensive end had a year left of eligibility at Utah but decided to try his hand at being the latest member of the Elliss family to play in the NFL.
The Elliss name, after all, has become synonymous with NFL talent.
On Friday, Elliss heard his name called during the third round of the 2024 NFL draft. The Denver Broncos selected Elliss with the No. 76 overall pick, making him the second Utes player drafted in 2024.
He becomes the latest Elliss family member to join the NFL ranks. His father, Luther, who was drafted in the first round of the 1995 draft to the Detroit Lions and played 10 seasons in the league before eventually return to Utah to coach, set the standard.
Since then, Jonah Elliss has had three brothers play in the NFL — Kaden Elliss is currently in the midst of a three-year deal with the Atlanta Falcons that goes through 2025.
Christian Elliss has played in games for the Philadelphia Eagles and New England Patriots, and Noah Elliss recently signed a two-year deal with the Eagles.
Jonah Elliss now becomes the latest to try his hand at the league after a breakout season with the Utes. The defensive end was named a second-team Associated Press All-American after recording 12 sacks (sixth in FBS) and 16 tackles for loss before ending the season early with a shoulder injury.
But it was enough for the NFL to take notice — none more than the team that drafted him.
"Jonah plays with a motor that exposes blockers who aren't finishers," NFL.com analyst Lance Zierlein said ahead of the draft. "He doesn't have enough sand in his pants to anchor and hold an NFL edge in the run game but he assaults the pocket with varied approaches and a good inside spin counter."
Coming 🔜 to the 303. #BroncosDraft x @jonah_ellisspic.twitter.com/L2NJ5NJ8Dk
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2024
That spin counter move and the use of his hands gave Elliss the leverage he needed time and again against opposing Pac-12 offenses to wreak havoc in the backfield. With improved technique and added size, Elliss has the ability to carry that talent to the NFL in time.
And he'll likely do it with the patented smile he carried with him at Utah.
Elliss, who becomes the first father-son duo from Utah to be drafted to the NFL, is expected to make approximately $5.9 million over a four-year contract, or about $1.5 million per season, according to Spotrac, which tracks NFL contracts.
