Falcon Report

Falcons Third-Year Defensive Starter Still Flying Under the Radar

Bleacher Report's Matt Holder argued a defender entering his third season as a starter with the Atlanta Falcons is still the team's "best-kept secret."
Dave Holcomb|
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss
Atlanta Falcons linebacker Kaden Elliss | Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

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Atlanta Falcons

Anybody who follows the Atlanta Falcons has to know by now how vital linebacker Kaden Elliss has been to the team's defense the past couple seasons. But nationally, Elliss appears to still be fighting for respect.

At least that's what Bleacher Report's Matt Holder argued Monday when he named Elliss as Atlanta's "best-kept secret" entering 2025 OTAs.

"According to Pro Football Focus, Kaden led his position with 43 total pressures (five sacks) on 156 pass-rush snaps," Holder wrote. "Additionally, he earned a 70.3 PFF run defense grade and ranked 11th with 52 ‘defensive stops’.

"It feels like the Idaho product is destined to follow in his father’s (Luther) footsteps and earn a Pro Bowl bid soon."

Elliss has yet to earn a Pro Bowl bid. But that might be due to factors completely out of his control.

The linebacker hasn't played in front of a national audience much with the Falcons. Furthermore, he was on a bad unit last season, which doesn't help any defender's reputation in the NFL.

Without Elliss, though, the Falcons could have been far worse defensively during 2024. He posted a career-best 151 combined tackles, including eight tackles for loss and 16 quarterback hits last season. He also had five sacks, three pass defenses and his first career interception.

He's not a one-hit wonder either. Elliss had 122 combined tackles with 11 tackles for loss in 2023. With the New Orleans Saints during 2022, he had seven sacks and 10 quarterback hits.

Elliss recorded at least 10 tackles in nine of Atlanta's last 11 games last season. He also had at least one sack in four of the final six regular season games to end 2024.

If Elliss plays like that in Atlanta's five primetime matchups this season, he's not going to be a secret for much longer.

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Dave Holcomb
DAVE HOLCOMB

Dave Holcomb writer covering the Atlanta Falcons, Atlanta Braves and Fantasy Sports for On SI. Holcomb has lived in the Atlanta area since 2017. He began his sports journalism career with The Star Ledger in northern New Jersey in 2013. During his career, he has written for numerous online and print publications. Holcomb has also self-published four books, including a novel in 2021. In addition to On SI, Holcomb also currently writes for Heavy.com and Athlon Sports.

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