Atlanta Falcons 2023 First-Year Starter Named ‘Best Kept’ Secret

In the age of the NFL, with more prime-time games than ever and every contest available in one form or another, there are no real secrets. But Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder had the difficult task of naming a secret weapon for every NFL team on May 23.

For the Atlanta FalconsHolder chose inside linebacker Kaden Elliss.

“Elliss didn’t receive much recognition because it took him a few years to break into the NFL,” Holder wrote. “That being said, the Falcons linebacker has made 29 starts over the past two seasons and racked up 11 sacks with 200 total tackles over that span, including a triple-digit tackle campaign in 2023.”

Elliss’ inaugural season with the Falcons was the first time in his career he started all 17 contests. Therefore, Elliss posted multiple career highs, including 122 combined tackles, 82 solos, 11 tackles for loss and 3 passes defensed.

He probably didn’t receive more recognition for his performance last season because he didn’t excel at rushing the passer. Elliss only had 4 sacks and 6 quarterback hits, which was fewer than he had in his final season with the New Orleans Saints in 2022, when he played 452 fewer snaps.

Part of what attracted the Falcons to Elliss in free agency last year was his rushing ability. He had 7 sacks and 10 quarterback hits in 2022. But his 4 sacks in 2023 were tied for fourth on the Falcons.

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The loss of fellow Troy Andersen, however, may have had a significant impact on Elliss’ 2023 sack numbers. Andersen, who had 69 combined tackles as a rookie, suffered a shoulder injury/ pectoral during Week 2 and did not play another game.

Without Andersen, the Falcons couldn’t afford to let Elliss roam free after quarters. Instead, he played the typical Andersen role, staying at home in the middle of Atlanta’s defense. Losing Andersen helped Nate Landman become a true starter. He had 110 tackles in 14 starts after Andersen went down.

With the emergence of Landman and the return of Andersen, the Falcons can use their trio of inside linebackers in a variety of roles. The Falcons could blitz Elliss a lot more in 2024. And hopefully, Ellliss won’t be a secret for long.

The Saints drafted Elliss in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft. In five seasons in the NFL, Elliss averaged about 45 combined tackles and 2.5 sacks per year. But he only had one career start before 2022.

Elliss averaged 100 combined tackles and 5.5 sacks over the past two seasons.

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