Falcons LB Elliss: 'Breakout' Candidate?

There are plenty of candidates for the Atlanta Falcons biggest move this offseason. 

Safety Jessie Bates III? The player many expect to make a Day 1 impact and entering the prime of his career. 

But what about defensive end Calais Campbell? By far the most decorated résumé and veteran presence for this young roster. 

However, a player that has the potential to be the best value from that bunch following a career-year on the New Orleans Saints? Linebacker Kaden Elliss, who the Falcons signed to a three-year $21 million deal and a player Touchdown Wire expects to have a breakout campaign in 2023. 

"Elliss made the most of his increased role with the Saints in 2022," Touchdown Wire writes. "Of all linebackers with at least 268 run defense snaps, he was PFF’s eighth-highest graded linebacker against the run, and finished in the top 20 in run stop percentage. 

"Now with the Falcons, Elliss will have a role as a full-time starter, and a chance to build upon his best season to date."

Elliss, 28, joins the Falcons and defensive coordinator Ryan Nielsen, who served in various coaching roles in New Orleans over the past three seasons. 

After playing sparingly over his first three seasons, the 2019 seventh-round draft pick emerged as one of the Saints best linebackers in 2022 - racking up 78 tackles, 10 quarterback hits, two forced fumbles and two pass deflections. 

And by joining a Falcons defense expecting to flip the script from last season, this "best kept secret" has the opportunity to play a key role in that playoff hunt. 

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