Raiders Draft Prospect: Defensive End Elliss of Utah

The Las Vegas Raiders could add an explosive, physical edge rusher in Jonah Elliss of Utah in the 2024 NFL Draft.

The Las Vegas Raiders are looking for young talent in the 2024 NFL Draft to build a postseason team.

The NFL Scouting Combine is going on now, as teams will be present at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind., to learn more about players’ athleticism and who they are off the field.

The Raiders will have a contingent at the Combine, hoping to find the right fits both on and off the field. The Combine is a valuable experience for teams regarding the draft process.

One player who could help the Raiders return to the postseason is Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss.

Ellis is the brother of current NFL linebackers Kaden, Christian and Noah Elliss, and hopes to join his siblings at the next level.

Elliss finished his Utes career with 78 total tackles, 23 tackles for losses, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and 16 sacks. He was a Consensus All-American and First Team All-Pac 12 selection in 2023.

Utah defensive end Jonah Elliss could be a good fit for the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2024 NFL Draft / Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

Elliss stands 6-foot-1 and weighs 243 pounds, putting him on the smaller side for an NFL defensive end. However, he makes up for his lack of size with explosiveness and toughness when he comes off the edge.

Despite his smaller size, Elliss has a compact build and good muscle. He also has long arms, which should benefit him at the next level, being an undersized edge rusher. If he can use those tools to his advantage, it could negate his lack of size.

Not only does Elliss fight hard on every snap, he has multiple pass-rush moves in his arsenal. He can cross-chop, swim, and spin against offensive tackles. While his size might cause problems, he has the effort and smarts to last as a pass rusher in the NFL.

Elliss is a monster rushing the passer. He couples strong upper body usage with a relentless pursuit of the football, which resulted in 12 sacks in his junior season. 

According to Pro Football Focus, Elliss generated 39 total pressures in 2023.

Elliss projects to be a plus-run defender due to his effort and physicality. He has a broad frame that he uses to smother ball carriers. Even if he is not getting to the quarterback, Elliss will impact the running game.

However, his size might cause him to not be selected until the third day of the draft. He rarely makes the play if he cannot win off the snap against a bigger offensive tackle.

Elliss is projected to be a seventh-round selection but could see his stock improve with a good Combine performance. If the Raiders are looking for a smart, hardworking defensive end, Elliss could be a good fit.

From February 27 to March 4, 2024, the NFL Scouting Combine will be held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Ind.

The NFL Draft will be held in Detroit, Mich., on April 25-27, 2024. The Las Vegas Raiders currently hold the No. 13 overall pick.

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