Broncos Urged to Trade 2024 Draft Pick Buried on Depth Chart

ESPN analyst says 22-year-old pass rusher Jonah Elliss has no path to significant playing time behind veterans Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper.

Feb. 21, 2026 at 5:07pm

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The Denver Broncos have a dominant pass-rushing duo in Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper, leaving little room for 2024 third-round pick Jonah Elliss to see the field. ESPN's Aaron Schatz is urging the Broncos to trade away the 22-year-old Elliss, who has shown promise with 7.5 sacks in two seasons but is buried on the depth chart behind the veteran starters.

Why it matters

The Broncos could get a decent return for the young pass rusher, who has two more years left on his rookie contract. Trading Elliss would give him a chance to start elsewhere, while also providing the Broncos with additional assets to address other needs on the roster.

The details

Elliss, a 2024 third-round pick, has played just 38% of the defensive snaps in his first two NFL seasons. With Bonitto and Cooper firmly entrenched as the starters, Elliss doesn't have a clear path to significant playing time in Denver. ESPN's Aaron Schatz believes the Broncos should trade Elliss to give him a better opportunity elsewhere, even if they can't land an earlier pick than the third round in return.

  • Elliss was drafted by the Broncos in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft.
  • In the 2025 season, Elliss played 38% of the defensive snaps for the Broncos.

The players

Jonah Elliss

A 22-year-old pass rusher drafted by the Denver Broncos in the 3rd round of the 2024 NFL Draft, who has recorded 7.5 sacks in his first two NFL seasons but is buried on the depth chart behind veteran starters Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper.

Nik Bonitto

A starting pass rusher for the Denver Broncos, part of the team's dominant defensive front.

Jonathan Cooper

A starting pass rusher for the Denver Broncos, part of the team's dominant defensive front.

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What they’re saying

“This is not an issue of a player who has not properly developed. Instead, Elliss is a talented young pass rusher who doesn't have a path to start behind veterans Nik Bonitto and Jonathan Cooper.”

— Aaron Schatz, ESPN Analyst

What’s next

The Broncos will need to decide whether to keep Elliss as depth or explore trade options to get value for the young pass rusher.

The takeaway

The Broncos have a deep and talented defensive front, but that depth has left 2024 third-round pick Jonah Elliss buried on the depth chart. Trading Elliss could give him a better opportunity elsewhere while also providing the Broncos with additional assets to address other needs on the roster.