Which Saints Addition This Offseason Is Underappreciated?
· Yahoo Sports
The New Orleans Saints brought in impact talent and depth this offseason via free agency. Saints fans' excitement only grew with each addition, but which addition is underappreciated? Travis Etienne has a solid reputation around the NFL. Noah Fant is another tight end weapon, but still hasn't realized his full potential as a professional.
Visit esporist.org for more information.
Bradley Locker of Pro Football Focus selected one Saints addition as a top five underappreciated acquisition.
LB Kaden Elliss, New Orleans Saints
"During his three-year tenure in Atlanta, Elliss performed at a high level but was subject to poor surrounding play, not to mention subpar team results. However, he could be in for a season in which many more become familiar with his game.
The former Saint returned to New Orleans on a three-year, $33 million contract in free agency, and he should become the centerpiece of an upstart defense. Over the last three seasons, Elliss ranks fifth among all linebackers in PFF Wins Above Replacement, in part due to playing at least 1,082 snaps in each of those campaigns.
Although Elliss’ grades have declined a bit since a strong 2023, he still sits in the 66th percentile in PFF coverage grade and the 57th percentile in PFF run-defense mark in the last three seasons. His biggest asset has been as a pass-rusher, leading the position with 93 total pressures on an efficient 17.9% pass-rush win rate in that window.
It won’t be an easy task to replace the venerable Demario Davis in New Orleans, but Elliss has the skillset to do so. Given the Saints blitzed at the seventh-highest rate during Brandon Staley’s inaugural season, Elliss’ versatility could add new layers to a unit that punched above its weight class. If Elliss can act as an every-down playmaker in 2026 on a growing defense, it should only help the blossoming Saints make more noise."
Elliss brings Brandon Staley another pass rusher to be utilized. You can expect the Saints defensive coordinator to dial up more blitzes in 2026 with Elliss being the surprise rusher. After a season where the Saints defense shined down the stretch, despite the losses of Demario Davis and Alontae Taylor, the 2026 version has a chance to improve.