Elijah Wilkinson Bio
Elijah Wilkinson is an American professional football offensive tackle for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UMass Minutemen and entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017. Over the course of his professional career, Wilkinson has been a member of the Denver Broncos, the Chicago Bears, the Atlanta Falcons, and the Arizona Cardinals. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall, he has spent time at both tackle and guard during his NFL tenure.
Early Life and Background
Elijah Wilkinson was born on February 10, 1995, in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. He grew up in the United States and is of Puerto Rican descent. Wilkinson attended Downingtown West High School, where he began his football career as a young athlete in the Pennsylvania prep system. His physical development during those years helped lay the foundation for the frame that would later define him as an offensive lineman.
Coming out of high school, Wilkinson drew attention from college programs and chose to continue his football career at the University of Massachusetts, commonly known as UMass. He suited up for the UMass Minutemen, competing in the offensive line during his college years. His time at UMass helped him refine the technical and physical skills required to play at the professional level.
Path to Professional Football
After his college career at UMass, Wilkinson declared for the NFL and entered the 2017 league cycle as an undrafted free agent. Despite going undrafted, he earned an opportunity when the Denver Broncos signed him to a contract on May 11, 2017. That summer signing marked the beginning of his professional journey in the NFL.
Wilkinson spent his first training camp with the Broncos and showed enough promise to remain in the organization when final roster cuts were made. He was waived on September 2, 2017, but quickly returned when he was signed to the practice squad the following day. Less than two months later, on October 21, 2017, he was promoted to the active roster, giving him his first sustained opportunity on an NFL roster.
Elijah Wilkinson Career
Early Career (2017–2019)
Wilkinson’s earliest NFL seasons were spent with the Denver Broncos, where he developed as a depth option along the offensive line. After being promoted to the active roster late in the 2017 season, he continued to work within the Broncos organization over the following campaigns. His role during these developmental years centered on practice preparation, special teams contributions, and filling in along the line when called upon.
The Broncos invested in retaining Wilkinson as he reached restricted free agency, and on April 18, 2020, he signed a one-year restricted free agent tender to remain in Denver. That continuity reflected the organization’s belief in his potential as a versatile offensive lineman capable of playing both tackle and guard.
Denver Broncos Tenure (2017–2020)
Wilkinson’s most notable stretch with the Broncos came during the 2020 season, when he was called upon as a starter. He opened the year as the starting right tackle and started the first three games of the campaign. His starting role, however, was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on September 30, 2020, after suffering a fractured shinbone. Wilkinson was activated on November 21, 2020, and returned to action later that season.
Earlier in his Denver tenure, Wilkinson had navigated the routine movement between the active roster and practice squad that many undrafted linemen face. He was placed on the active/physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp on July 28, 2020, before being moved back to the active roster six days later. His time in Denver established him as a dependable depth piece with starting capability.
Chicago Bears Stop (2021)
Following the 2020 season, Wilkinson moved on from Denver and signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears on March 23, 2021. The deal gave him a fresh start with a new organization looking for veteran depth along the offensive line. His single season in Chicago added another chapter to a career built on adapting to different schemes and cities.
Atlanta Falcons First Stint (2022)
On March 17, 2022, Wilkinson signed a one-year contract with the Atlanta Falcons, joining a team rebuilding its offensive line. He was named the starting left guard to begin the 2022 season and went on to start seven games for the Falcons. His starting run was cut short when he was placed on injured reserve on November 5, 2022. Wilkinson was activated on December 17, 2022, and finished the year back with the active roster.
Arizona Cardinals (2023)
Wilkinson signed with the Arizona Cardinals on April 5, 2023, taking on a new role with a different franchise. He was named the Cardinals’ starting left guard to open the 2023 season, demonstrating the versatility that had become a hallmark of his career. His season was interrupted when he was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023, with a neck injury. He was activated on December 16, 2023, and returned to finish the year.
Wilkinson re-signed with the Cardinals on March 13, 2024, in an effort to continue his role with the team. That offseason agreement, however, was short-lived, as he was released on August 27, 2024.
Atlanta Falcons Second Stint (2024–Present)
On August 30, 2024, Wilkinson was signed to the practice squad of the Atlanta Falcons, returning to the organization where he had previously started nine games during the 2022 season. The reunion gave him a familiar setting to compete for a roster spot. He was promoted to the active roster on September 24, 2024, reinforcing the Falcons’ offensive line depth.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Wilkinson’s career highlights is his start of nine games for the Atlanta Falcons during the 2022 season, which established him as a starter at the professional level. He has also been entrusted with starting responsibilities at both right tackle and left guard across multiple organizations, underscoring his positional flexibility. Signing contracts with five different NFL teams over the course of his career has further highlighted his durability and adaptability as an offensive lineman.
Elijah Wilkinson Career Wins
Elijah Wilkinson’s professional resume is defined less by statistical milestones than by consistent availability and positional versatility along the offensive line. Over multiple seasons, he has been called upon to start games at right tackle and left guard for different organizations, including the Denver Broncos, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals. His career path from undrafted free agent to multi-year starter reflects steady perseverance in a league where offensive line depth is constantly tested.
Elijah Wilkinson Family
Family Background and Heritage
Elijah Wilkinson was born and raised in Downingtown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. He is of Puerto Rican descent, a heritage that has been part of his personal background throughout his life and career. Wilkinson attended Downingtown West High School before moving on to play college football at the University of Massachusetts.
Personal Life
Wilkinson has kept much of his personal life private, and details about his immediate family have not been widely publicized. His professional journey has taken him across multiple NFL cities, including Denver, Chicago, Atlanta, and Arizona, as he has continued his career as an offensive lineman in the league.
2025 Season Outlook
Heading into the 2025 NFL season, Elijah Wilkinson remains with the Atlanta Falcons, the team he rejoined late in the 2024 campaign. After being promoted to the active roster on September 24, 2024, he enters the new season with established familiarity with the Falcons’ offensive line room. His prior stint in Atlanta, during which he started nine games in 2022, provides a foundation for competing for a contributing role in 2025.
Wilkinson’s versatility across tackle and guard positions gives the Falcons flexibility as they shape their offensive line depth chart for the upcoming season. His history of stepping into starting roles when called upon, including at right tackle with Denver in 2020 and at left guard with Atlanta and Arizona, makes him a reliable option along the interior and at the edge of the line. Health will be a key factor, given that he has navigated injuries during multiple recent seasons, including a fractured shinbone in 2020 and a neck injury in 2023.
For Wilkinson, the 2025 season represents an opportunity to extend a professional career that began as an undrafted free agent in 2017. His continued presence on an NFL roster nearly a decade after his first contract speaks to his work ethic and the value teams place on experienced offensive line depth.