Kaden

Elliss

Elliss gets $23 million guaranteed in a contract carrying a max value up to $39 million. He returns to New Orleans, where he spent the first four years of his career as a backup. Spending the last three seasons as a starter for the Falcons, the 30-year-old tallied 3.5 sacks in 2025 with an 83.6 PFF pass rush grade, No. 4 among linebackers. Elliss will slot in as a starter with Demario Davis leaving the Saints this offseason.

The Falcons hired former Saints co-defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen as their DC earlier in the offseason. In free agency, they have clearly made adding some of his former players to the roster a priority as well. Elliss is joining defensive tackle David Onymenata on the list of Saints who are making the move to Atlanta. A former seventh-round pick, Elliss was elevated to a larger role in 2022. He didn’t disappoint, totaling seven sacks across 13 games, seven of which were starts. Elliss will look to continue his ascent on an Atlanta defense that is in desperate need of play-makers.

Ellis (6’2/238) was a four-year starter in the Vandals’ linebacker corps, tallying 47 career TFLs with 17 sacks, five interceptions, and six forced fumbles, and even dabbling at tight end for 176 yards and two touchdowns on ten career catches. Despite earning first-team All-Big Sky as a senior and being the son of ex-Lions DT Luther Elliss, Kaden was snubbed for a Combine invite only to shine at his Pro Day with 4.68 speed and 6.49 three-cone time, demonstrating adequate long speed and exceptional short-area quicks. With a highly productive track record, NFL bloodlines, and big-league movement skills, Elliss is one of this draft’s most-intriguing off-ball linebacker sleepers.

Ellis (6’2/238) was a four-year starter in the Vandals’ linebacker corps, tallying 47 career TFLs with 17 sacks, five interceptions, and six forced fumbles, and even dabbling at tight end for 176 yards and two touchdowns on ten career catches. Despite earning first-team All-Big Sky as a senior and being the son of ex-Lions DT Luther Elliss, Kaden was snubbed for a Combine invite only to shine at his Pro Day with 4.68 speed and 6.49 three-cone time, demonstrating adequate long speed and exceptional short-area quicks. With a highly productive track record, NFL bloodlines, and big-league movement skills, Elliss is one of this draft’s most-intriguing off-ball linebacker sleepers.

In his rundown of small-school prospects who carry draft import, Pauline passes along some scintillating testing numbers. Elliss (6'3/240) took part in both Idaho and Utah’s pro days, putting up results including a 4.65-second 40-yard dash, a 34.5-inch vertical jump and “off the charts” agility marks, notably a 4.13-second run in the 20-yard shuttle and a 6.63-second sprint through the three-cone drill. That three-cone time, in particular, is eye-opening, a truly elite mark. For reference’s sake, it would have led all linebackers -- by a significant margin -- at the combine. Pauline relays that Elliss has taken nine official-30 visits this spring, including trips to the Ravens, Jags, Packers, Cardinals and Dolphins.

As Pauline notes, Elliss has really seen his stock rise after his pro day where he posted a 4.59 second 40-yard dash time and -- as Pauline puts it -- “insane” three-cone and long-shuttle times. He posted seven sacks and 16 tackles for loss last year for the Vandals, so the 6-foot-3, 240-pound defender has production to go with the athleticism. He projects as a late-round prospect, but with that speed and quickness, he could be a steal.

Elliss (6'3/240) was very impressive going through drills and tests. In fact, his 6.49-second three-cone and 11.1-second long shuttle time would have been the best in the class if he did it at the NFL Scouting Combine. After posting those times, Elliss has been visiting NFL teams and he’s put himself on the draft and UDFA radar. On the field last year, Elliss made a modest 41 solo tackles but did post 16.0 tackles for loss and 7.0 sacks.