Kaden Elliss exploded in his final year with the New Orleans Saints. He registered 78 tackles and 7 sacks during his breakout campaign. Then, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons in free agency. In his three seasons in Atlanta, Elliss has shown 2022 was much more than a flash in the pan. It's time Elliss to bring that experience back to his first home.
How good has Elliss been? Falcons defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said, "to replace Kaden would take more than one human being.” Elliss is just that versatile. Ulbrich goes on to lay out Elliss' ability to play on the line of scrimmage or off ball. With some of the young players in the linebacker room, that could allow for Brandon Staley to mix and match multiple packages while keeping your best players on the field.
Elliss was one of just two NFC linebackers to record at least 100 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception. Ironically, the other linebacker to do it is Zack Baun, another former Saints linebacker. There's a reason Ulbrich thinks Elliss could be world class on the line or at stack linebacker.
The Saints should bring Kaden Elliss home regardless if Demario Davis leaves
A lot of time you'll hear the Saints need at linebacker tied to Demario Davis' future with the team. While it's true that Davis leaving would make linebacker a massive need for the team, it doesn't mean the Saints can't address it even if he returns.
The reason it is a massive need with a Davis exit is because the rest of the linebackers in the room are question marks or just don't inspire much confidence. Danny Stutsman and Isaiah Stalbird are young players who could have big futures ahead of them. Stalbird right now is a specialist, and Stutsman was always seen as a replacement for Davis.
Kaden Elliss would be coming back to take Pete Werner's place. The Saints chose Werner over Elliss once. That was a Dennis Allen decision, but Brandon Staley can rectify that decision now. Elliss is unquestionably the more dynamic player, and he proved he's not just a blitzer during his time in Atlanta.
Elliss would be a luxury with Davis still on the team, but a valuable luxury. Grabbing Elliss would keep ranginess in the Saints' linebacker duo. If Davis comes back, it gives you two linebackers who inspire confidence and gives Stutsman another year to learn from Davis. It also adds extra dynamics to the game that the current linebackers just don't provide.
Elliss showed what he could be during his final year in New Orleans. He's a highly disruptive player who can give a the Saints a strong duo or be the leader of the room, depending on Davis' decision.