NFL Bloodlines And Family Ties Could Lead Saints To Draft This Productive Edge Rusher

If they've learned from mistakes made with Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun, then this edge rusher with family ties to the franchise could inject life into the Saints pass rush.

The New Orleans Saints have a history of acquiring players with NFL bloodlines. Four notable players recently that have fit that criteria were DE Cameron Jordan, RB Mark Ingram II, WR Michael Thomas, and LB Kaden Elliss. It's worth noting that the Saints have never acquired a player whose bloodline was directly attached to them.
There are several players in this year's NFL Draft that had relatives that played in the NFL. However, there is only one with direct ties to the New Orleans Saints.

Jonah Elliss, EDGE - Utah; 6'2" & 248-Lbs.

Utah Utes linebacker Jonah Elliss (83) pressures the quarterback against the Stanford Cardinal

Credit:© Stan Szeto-USA TODAY Sports

Jonah Elliss is a younger brother of Kaden Elliss, a 2019 seventh-round choice of the Saints that played four years with the team and is currently with the Atlanta Falcons. Both are sons of Luther Elliss, former All-Pro defensive tackle with the Detroit Lions.

Jonah quickly carved out his own name at Utah. After a quiet 2021, he'd have three sacks and six tackles for loss in 2022 after being moved from LB to a stand-up rush end. The switch led to a breakout campaign last year. His 12 sacks and 16 stops for loss with the Utes were both second in the Pac-12 and led to All-American honors.

Elliss is extremely agile with underrated power on initial contact. He can mix power with speed as a pass rusher and has flashed a variety of moves to get into opposing backfields. With rare explosion at the snap, Elliss is able to get blockers on their heels instantly.

Elliss uses leverage and upper body movement to shed blockers effectively. Once freed, he pursues plays with tenacity and is a consistent finisher. He had 24 tackles for loss and forced or recovered seven fumbles in three years at Utah.

Despite his smaller stature, Elliss shows nice power in setting the edge against the run. His natural instincts are outstanding. Elliss shows potentially elite pre-snap recognition and is athletic enough to instantly get into position to make a play.

Utah Utes linebacker Jonah Elliss (83) pressures the quarterback and tips a pass against the Arizona State Sun Devils

Credit:© Rob Gray-USA TODAY Sports

A small frame could limit Elliss in certain schemes or situations. He can be overwhelmed by double-team blocking or neutralized by a larger tackle that can match his quickness. Elliss also doesn't have a significant bend around the edge, making even tougher to equalize a physical disadvantage.

Despite his effort and motor, Elliss has been just average against the run when lined up in a four-man front. He'll need ''space-eaters'' at defensive tackle to be consistently effective in every situation in a 4-3 scheme.

While he has good awareness and solid open field agility, forget using Elliss in a more traditional LB role. He simply doesn't have any experience and it would rob him of his best attribute as a downhill defender.

Jonah Elliss is projected to be drafted in the third round or early in Day 3. He's ideally suited to be a rush LB in a 3-4 scheme, but also offers immediate value as a situational pass rusher in a 4-3 defense. Elliss doesn't fit nearly the prototype that the Saints prefer in edge defenders. However, he certainly has the ability to inject life into a New Orleans pass rush that was anemic last season.

The Saints made huge mistakes with Kaden Elliss and Zack Baun when trying to convert them into off-ball linebackers after drafting them. Once the team learned from it's mistake and let both Elliss and Baun be predominantly downhill defenders, each made significant contributions to the defense. Jonah Elliss can have a similar impact if available to New Orleans in the middle rounds of the draft.