Sedrick

Ellis

The New Orleans Times-Picayune suspects the difference could be $22 million per vs. $17 million per. That’s a lot of ground to make up by Monday’s franchise tag deadline. The Saints could free up $5 million by restructuring Will Smith’s contract, and another $11 million by cutting MLB Jonathan Vilma and DT Sedrick Ellis. If the Saints are forced to use the exclusive franchise tag on Brees, they run the risk of losing both Marques Colston and Carl Nicks.

Going into the final year of his rookie deal, the former No. 7 pick notched just 29 tackles and 0.5 sacks last season despite playing 723 snaps. However, the Times-Picayune believes the Saints will likely give Ellis one more chance to prove himself under new DC Steve Spagnuolo. He could still be asked to take a pay-cut.

Ellis’ rookie deal is up after the season, and he’s never lived up to expectations inherent for a top-ten draft pick. Ellis was the seventh overall pick in 2008. Billed as a three-technique, pass-rusher coming out of USC, Ellis has 0.5 sacks in his last 24 games. He’s also been only an above-average run defender.

The former first-round pick was a bust in New Orleans and hadn’t generated any buzz in free agency up to this point. The Patriots have been churning their depth at defensive tackle, and are likely just performing their due diligence. Ellis, whose forte was supposed to be as a pass rushing three-technique, has only 12.5 career sacks.

Ellis will provide depth along the Bears’ deep defensive line. The 2008 first-round bust has just 0.5 sacks over the past two seasons despite 31 starts. That horrendous number would be a bit easier to swallow had Ellis stood out as a run defender, but he hasn’t. Going on 28, Ellis won’t be guaranteed a roster spot, but has the inside track. Perhaps he’ll be more effective in a reserve role, but we doubt it.

Ellis worked out for the Patriots on Friday, but left without a deal. The seventh overall pick in the 2008 draft, Ellis will be rotational depth wherever he lands.

One of the biggest busts of the 2008 draft class, Ellis has managed just 0.5 sacks over his last 31 games. His fate was likely sealed even before the Saints made the move to a 3-4. Ellis will get another chance, likely on a “prove it” deal with a 4-3 team.

Ellis hasn’t lived up to his No. 7 overall draft pick status since being selected there in 2008. The one-dimensional pass-rushing Ellis has 12.5 career sacks. He checks in near the bottom of our free-agent defensive tackle rankings.

Ellis, the No. 7 overall pick in the 2008 draft, has drawn zero known interest since free agency opened, but says he’s spoke with multiple clubs. Billed as a solid pass rusher coming out of USC, Ellis has just 0.5 sacks over his last 31 games. He shouldn’t get much more than the minimum.

Ellis hasn’t generated any buzz on the open market, but the Cardinals are on the prowl for a defensive tackle. Ellis would be in line for only a small signing bonus, and wouldn’t be guaranteed a roster spot in Arizona. The former No. 7 overall pick has just 0.5 sacks over his past 31 games.