Sean Payton's Inside Linebacker Shift: Elliss to the Rescue

0:00On April 3rd, Sean Payton lit a fire with one comment about shifting Broncos outside linebacker Jonah Ellis inside to help at Inside Linebacker. With Alex Singleton and Justin Strinnad needing time to ramp up, Ellis could fill gaps thanks to his edge depth and pass rush skills. Payton sees a fit like his brother, Caden Ellis, whom he drafted with the Saints or Zach Bond, who blew up inside for the Eagles after starting. Outside about matching smarts, toughness and versatility to the role, similar to how Fred Warner flexes for the 49ers. Fans are buzzing because Vance Joseph's defense led the league in sacks two years running with creative pressures. Sliding Ellis in could mix things up, keeping offenses guessing without losing his rush juice. Draft season heats up too, with Broncos hosting top prospects like Vanderbilt tied in Eli Stowers, Boston College Tackle Jude Bowery and Early Round, Guard Emanuel Pregnant from Oregon. These visits hint at their board after the Waddle trade.

1:02Clips from last season already show Ellis holding his own inside, so expect this tweet to evolve through camp in the draft picks ahead.