New York Giants Draft Prospect: Edge Jonah Elliss

Nick takes another look at a prospective edge prospect.

Jonah Elliss, EDGE

Height: 6’2
Weight: 248 lbs.
Hands: 11”
Arms: 33”
Wingspan: 79 ¼”
Class: Junior
School: Utah
Stats

A former three-star recruit out of Moscow Senior High School in Moscow, Idaho, where he was the number one recruit from the state and the 69th overall linebacker in the 2021 recruiting cycle. Elliss started 18 of 35 career games for the Utes and was a Consensus All-American in 2023.  

Elliss finished his 2023 season with 39 pressures - 10 of which occurred in Week 4 against UCLA. He finished his three seasons with 75 pressures on 657 pass-rushing snaps, with 11 total missed tackles (missed tackle rate of 17.2%). Pro Football Focus graded Elliss with one of the best pass-rushing grades in college football.

His father, Luther Elliss, was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Detriot Lions and was the 20th pick in the 1995 NFL Draft. His brother Kaden is a linebacker on the Falcons; his brother Christian is a linebacker on the Patriots; and his brother Noah is a defensive lineman on the Eagles.

Elliss did not test at the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine due to his shoulder surgery recovery. The injury ended his season with three games left on the schedule. He attempted to battle through the recovery process without surgery but ultimately received the surgery, so he could not participate in the drills at the Combine.

Strengths

• Solid overall athletic ability with a good/quick get off
• Above-average quickness with a very good first step
• Good lateral agility to slant/stunt inside and penetrate
• Fires out of his stance low, keeps a low center of gravity when rushing the passer
• Functional bend to get around corners as a high side rusher
• Times the snap very well
• Massive mittens attached to his arms (11”, 96th percentile for EDGE rushers)
• Sets up his pass rush moves with his feet to optimize angles
• Efficient and heavy hands - array of pass rushing moves
• Very good employment of counters - has a pass rush plan
• Flashed inside spin move - very coordinated and balanced
• Can convert speed to power - has both power and finesse pass rushing skills
• A bit more on the finesse side, though
• Solid overall run defender who is an issue for tight ends blocking
• Gains control with his hands and tosses tight ends out of his way against the run
• Physical overall defender - tough in the trenches
• Excellent pursuit defender
• Elite competitive toughness - never gives up
• Solid overall play strength
• Smart player who understands angles and has good eyes
• Is only 20 years old

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Weaknesses

• Adequate overall size - 11th percentile weight/15th percentile height for EDGE
• Not a difference-making athlete at EDGE
• Does have functional bend, but the ability to bend through direct contact may pose a problem
• Can hold the point of attack, but powerful run blockers can uproot him
• Double teams will be a problem
• Suffered a season-ending shoulder injury that ended his 2023 season; also had undisclosed injuries that kept him from competing throughout his college career

Summary

Jonah Elliss is a relentless pass rusher with efficient - heavy - hands and plenty of pass rushing and counter moves to keep blockers honest and guessing. When rushing the passer, he fires off the ball low and is deceptive with his footwork/path into the point of contact. He’s not the bendiest of most athletic EDGE defenders, but he positions himself well - and is explosive enough - to gain a high-side advantage while using the rip and other moves to shield himself from direct contact.

He has power rush moves but is more of a finesse pass rusher. Elliss is a difficult blocking assignment for tight ends in the run game. He can, however, lose in the trenches to better and bigger blockers, and his play strength against double teams is sub-optimal on the edge. The injuries could also affect his draft spot, but he’s a young, tough, technically sound pass rusher who is a nuisance to align for offensive tackles.

GRADE: 6.21

Nick Falato

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