Justin Ellis

Justin Jamaal Ellis (born December 27, 1990) is an American former professional football nose tackle. He was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round of the 2014 NFL draft. He played college football for the Louisiana Tech Bulldogs.

Early life Ellis attended Neville High School in Monroe, Louisiana, where he was a two-time first-team all-District 2-4A selection. He was named first-team all-state by the LSWA as a senior, and was a two-time all-Northeast Louisiana selection by the Monroe News-Star. Ellis also lettered three years in track & field, competing in the shot put, where he finished third in the state as a junior, the javelin throw (top-throw of 47.2 meters) and the discus throw, where he captured the state title with a throw of 47.15 meters in 2009.

He was rated a two-star recruit by Rivals.com.

College career Ellis attended Louisiana Tech University from 2009 to 2013. He redshirted as a true freshman in 2009. In 2010, Ellis played in four games and recorded three tackles. In 2011, he was a second-team All-Western Athletic Conference (WAC) selection after appearing in all 13 games, recording 20 tackles, 3.5 for loss, one sack and one fumble recovery. In 2012, he recorded 21 total tackles with two forced fumbles. In 2013, he recorded a career high 48 tackles, and set career bests in tackles for loss with 5.5, and sacks with 1.5, earning himself conference honorable mention honors.

Professional career

Oakland Raiders Ellis was selected by the Oakland Raiders in the fourth round (107th overall) of the 2014 NFL draft. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

On March 9, 2018, Ellis signed a three-year $15 million contract extension with the Raiders.

On September 13, 2018, Ellis was placed on injured reserve after suffering a foot injury in Week 1. He was activated off injured reserve on December 1, 2018.

On August 31, 2019, Ellis was placed on injured reserve. He was released on October 8, 2019.

Baltimore Ravens On November 12, 2019, Ellis was signed by the Baltimore Ravens.

On March 21, 2020, Ellis re-signed with the Ravens.

On March 5, 2021, Ellis signed a one-year contract extension with the Ravens. He was released on August 31, 2021, and re-signed to the practice squad the next day. He was promoted to the active roster on September 15, 2021.

New York Giants On March 23, 2022, the New York Giants signed Ellis to a one-year contract. In Week 13 against the Washington Commanders Ellis recorded his first sack on Taylor Heinicke.

Atlanta Falcons On July 28, 2023, Ellis signed with the Atlanta Falcons. He was released on August 26, 2023.

Miami Dolphins On December 6, 2023, Ellis was signed to the Miami Dolphins practice squad. He was not signed to a reserve/future contract after the season and thus became a free agent upon the expiration of his practice squad contract.

NFL career statistics Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sck PD Int Yds TD FF FR Yds TD 2014 OAK 16 16 21 16 5 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2015 OAK 12 12 22 17 3 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2016 OAK 16 16 21 14 6 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2017 OAK 16 16 48 21 21 0.5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2018 OAK 6 6 7 2 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2019 BAL 4 4 6 1 4 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2020 BAL 13 13 17 5 11 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2021 BAL 11 11 15 6 9 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Total 94 94 142 82 63 0.5 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0Source: NFL.com