A former Saints coach has struck again, this time prying away a young defender in free agency.
Kaden Elliss, whom the Saints drafted in the 7th round in 2019, cashed in with the Atlanta Falcons on a 3-year, $21 million contract, according to a report from Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network. The deal includes $11 million guaranteed.
It was the second player in a matter of hours agree to terms with the Falcons on the first day of the NFL's legal tampering period. Free agent deals can not become official until 3 p.m. (central) on March 15.
Elliss will join former teammate David Onyemata, who agreed to terms on a 3-year, $35 million deal earlier in the day, both players joining former Saints co-defensive coordinator and DL coach Ryan Nielsen, who is now the defensive coordinator for the Falcons. Former Saints executive Terry Fontenot is also serving in the GM role for Atlanta.
It's a remarkable story for Elliss, who rose out of relative obscurity throughout the season, making his mark as he filled in with standout linebacker Pete Werner out with an ankle injury. In his first three years with the Saints, Elliss compiled 23 tackles and one sack. In the 2022 season his numbers ballooned to 78 tackles and 7 sacks. Werner and veteran Demario Davis will be expected to continue anchoring the linebacker group going forward.
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Two more former Saints defenders also are headed out of town on free agent deals. DT Shy Tuttle is headed to the Carolina Panthers on a 3-year, $19 million contract, and former first-round selection Marcus Davenport will join the Vikings on a 1-year, $13 million deal, according to Rapoport.
Thus far the Saints have made their biggest splash with the signing of QB Derek Carr to a 4-year, $150 million deal, but have otherwise settled for retaining their own players. The team has re-signed special team ace J.T. Gray, QB Jameis Winston, TE Juwan Johnson, DE Tanoh Kpassagnon, WR Keith Kirkwood and G Calvin Throckmorton.
Moves could be coming soon, however, with the team reaching cap compliance and having cleared a $69 million cap overage ahead of the Wednesday deadline. CB Marshon Lattimore, DE Cam Jordan and RB Alvin Kamara were the final three restructures executed to get there.
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