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Denver Broncos Linebacker Named Best Kept Secret For Sean Payton's Team Ahead Of 2026
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- Denver Broncos Linebacker Named Best Kept Secret For Sean Payton's Team Ahead Of 2026
(IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect)
The Denver Broncos have one of the more talented rosters, at least on paper, going into the 2026 NFL season.
The broncos won the AFC West, were the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and made a trip to the AFC Championship Game before losing to the New England Patriots .
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It didn't help that quarterback Bo Nix suffered a season-ending injury in the Divisional Round win over the Buffalo Bills .
But, the future is bright for Denver, and acquiring star wide receiver Jaylen Waddle in a trade with the Miami Dolphins gives Nix a big name to throw to opposite Courtland Sutton on the offense.
Brent Sobleski of Bleacher Report named each team's best-kept secret going into the 2026 campaign, and for the Broncos , it is a bit under-the-radar: Linebacker Jonah Elliss .
Elliss was selected in the third round of the 2024 NFL Draft, but surprisingly, he has not started a single game in two seasons for Denver.
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Still, he is productive and a big part of the defense.
"His ability to help by playing on the edge or off the ball makes him an invaluable contributor," Sobleski wrote. "This year, Elliss is expected to make the full-time transition from edge-defender to linebacker."
Elliss played in every regular-season game as a rookie in 2024, totaling 38 tackles with five sacks.
In 2025, he played in 13 regular-season games, registering 28 total tackles with 2.5 sacks and a forced fumble.
But, as Sobleski wrote, Elliss is making the transition to linebacker, so that could open up a lot of playing time for the soon-to-be third-year pro.
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All-Pro Nik Bonitto even gave Elliss a huge compliment, calling him "one of the most talented guys on the team."
Broncos head coach Sean Payton spoke about Elliss' skill set when discussing the decision to attempt to make him a linebacker and move him off of the edge position.
Sometimes you have to look at the skill set, and then project where you think it can go, and your depth on the edge that allows you to do something like that. We will have a chance to visit with him on it," Payton said .
The Broncos appear set at the edge position as well, so moving Elliss to a new spot will also allow him more playing time.
Right now, Elliss might be a little-known name by many, but he could be a major contributor this season if everything goes well.
