This summer, the Falcons mostly focused their free agent budget on improving their offensive line, headlined by Kirk Cousins.
The veteran signed a $180 million contract, and shortly after, wide receiver Darnell Mooney signed a three-year contract to join Atlanta. Other than those two acquisitions, the Falcons have been rather quiet. However, Terry Fontenot focused much of his offseason efforts on improving the defense.
It wouldn’t be an understatement to suggest that those free agent deals were successful. Last year’s main attraction, Jessie Bates, was named an All-Pro in his rookie campaign with the Falcons. Kaden Elliss had a same amount of contributions as David Onyemata, who had one of his best seasons to date.
In order to join the Falcons, the former Saints linebacker accepted a three-year, $21.5 million contract. Elliss strengthened the defense’s second line just when they were most in need of it.
Elliss undoubtedly aided Nate Landman when Troy Andersen sustained a season-ending injury. Elliss is a defensive coordinator’ dream come true because to his versatility, but he is still presumably not well-known. For this reason, Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder called Elliss the Falcons’ best-kept secret.
Holder noted, “Elliss hasn’t gotten much recognition because it took him a few years to catch on in the NFL.” “Having said that, the linebacker for the Falcons has started 29 games in the last two seasons, recording 200 total tackles and 11 sacks, including a triple-digit tackle season in 2023.”
Elliss set career highs in tackles for loss, passes defended, solo tackles, and combined tackles during his debut season with the Falcons. His ability to chase down passes was one of the reasons Atlanta was interested in him.
Elliss recorded seven sacks and ten quarterback hits for the Saints in his last season in New Orleans, but he only managed four sacks in 2023. Still, that was good enough for fourth on the Falcons’ defense.
Hopefully, Kaden Elliss won’t be the Falcons’ best-kept secret at the end of the season.
