Kaden Elliss (born July 10, 1995) is an American professional football linebacker for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League (NFL). The son of former Detroit Lions defensive tackle Luther Elliss, he played college football for the Idaho Vandals,[1] and has three younger brothers that also play professional football: Christian, Noah, and Jonah.

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand spanWingspan40-yard dash10-yard split20-yard split20-yard shuttleThree-cone drillVertical jumpBroad jumpBench press
6 ft 2+1⁄4 in
(1.89 m)		238 lb
(108 kg)		32+3⁄4 in
(0.83 m)		10+1⁄2 in
(0.27 m)		6 ft 7+1⁄2 in
(2.02 m)		4.71 s1.60 s2.82 s4.13 s6.63 s34.5 in
(0.88 m)		10 ft 0 in
(3.05 m)		20 reps
All values from Pro Day[2]

New Orleans Saints

The New Orleans Saints selected Elliss in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. Elliss was the 30th linebacker drafted in 2019.[3]

On May 10, 2019, the New Orleans Saints signed Elliss to a four-year, $2.59 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $76,316.[4] During training camp, Elliss competed for a roster spot as a backup linebacker against Vince Biegel, Porter Gustin, Josh Martin, Darnell Sankey, and Colton Jumper. Head coach Sean Payton named Elliss the primary backup middle linebacker, behind starter Alex Anzalone, to begin the regular season. On September 25, 2019, he was placed on injured reserve with a knee injury.[5]

Elliss was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the team on August 6, 2020,[6] and was activated the next day.[7]

Atlanta Falcons

On March 13, 2023, the Atlanta Falcons signed Elliss to a three-year, $21.50 million contract that includes $10.16 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $5.25 million.[8][4]

New Orleans Saints (second stint)

On March 11, 2026, Elliss signed a three-year, $33 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.[9]

NFL career statistics

Legend
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2019NO 301010.00000.000000000
2020NO 1505410.00000.000000000
2021NO 13117981.01000.000000100
2022NO 17117843357.07000.000220000
2023ATL 171712282404.011000.000300000
2024ATL 171715185665.0811212.0120310100
2025ATL 171710759483.51011616.0160610000
Career 996348128219920.53722814.01601440200

Postseason

Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GPGSCmbSoloAstSckTFLIntYdsAvgLngTDPDFFFumFRYdsTD
2020NO 200000.00000.000000000
Career 200000.00000.000000000

Personal life

Kaden Elliss is one of 12 children of Luther Elliss, a former defensive tackle in the NFL, and Rebecca Elliss.[10][11] His brothers, Noah and Christian, both played football at Idaho and currently play in the NFL.[12] His younger brother, Jonah, currently plays football for the Denver Broncos[13] after playing at the University of Utah.[14] He is of Samoan descent.[15]

Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah, Elliss is a Christian. He has said, "My faith is the most important part of my life. I'm a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ; that he died and rose from the dead. Honestly, without that, I wouldn't be who I am. That's what makes me tick, honestly."[16]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Kaden Elliss – Football". University of Idaho Athletics. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  2. ↑ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Kaden Elliss College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ Johnson, Luke (April 27, 2019). "Saints close out 2019 draft class by selecting Idaho LB Kaden Ellis". nola.com. Retrieved April 28, 2019.
  4. 1 2 "Spotrac.com: Kaden Ellis contract". Spotrac.com. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
  5. ↑ Fazende, Sean (September 26, 2019). "Saints linebacker Kaden Ellis out for season". www.ksla.com.
  6. ↑ Just, Amie (August 6, 2020). "Two Saints players put on reserve/COVID-19 list; here's what that means". NOLA.com. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  7. ↑ "Saints announce roster moves". NewOrleansSaints.com. August 7, 2020. Retrieved August 10, 2020.
  8. ↑ Bair, Scott (March 16, 2023). "Falcons sign linebacker Kaden Elliss". AtlantaFalcons.com.
  9. ↑ "Saints agree to terms with linebacker Kaden Elliss". NewOrleansSaints.com. Retrieved March 12, 2026.
  10. ↑ "Kaden Eliss". Go Vandals. Retrieved January 11, 2021.
  11. ↑ O'Halloran, Ryan (March 4, 2022). "NFL Combine Journal: Valor Christian alum Noah Elliss hopes to follow father to big league". The Denver Post. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  12. ↑ Counts, Ron (February 28, 2022). "Boise State Khalil Shakir, Idaho's Elliss at NFL Combine". Idaho Statesman. Retrieved April 19, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Jonah Elliss - Denver Broncos Linebacker". ESPN. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
  14. ↑ Call, Jeff (April 8, 2023). "Utah football: Jonah Elliss is carrying on a family tradition". Deseret News. Retrieved September 1, 2023.
  15. ↑ "POLYNESIANS IN THE 2021 NFL DRAFT". www.thecoconet.tv. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  16. ↑ Wright, Josh (October 26, 2016). "It's faith, family and football for Vandals linebacker Kaden Elliss". Spokesman.com. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kaden_Elliss