PFF identifies Falcons’ secret superstar from 2024 season

The Atlanta Falcons’ 2024 season was derailed by a multitude of issues, including a horrendous defensive performance over the final few weeks. This led to the team firing defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake one week after the season ended.

The Falcons have already interviewed a handful of potential replacements, but there were some positives on that side of the ball. Linebacker Kaden Elliss was one major defensive bright spot last season, recording a career-high 151 tackles (85 solo), five sacks and one interception.

Pro Football Focus named Elliss the Falcons’ “secret superstar” from 2024. The former Saints linebacker who struggled to get onto the field in New Orleans has found a long-term home here in Atlanta.

Much of the reason that Atlanta wasn’t able to make the playoffs fell on a defense that already moved on from defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake, but Elliss put together a well-rounded season. His 43 pressures led Atlanta, as did his 20.3% pass-rush win rate — good for third among all defenders with 150 or more pass-rushing snaps. Beyond that, Elliss was solid as a run defender yet again, netting a 70.3 PFF run-defense grade. If he can cut down on the missed tackles (13.2%), Elliss could ascend even more in Atlanta in 2025. – Bradley Locker, PFF

While Elliss finished the season strong, he took a few weeks to get going. Elliss didn’t record a PFF overall grade over 70 until after Week 5. Plus, he struggled with a career-high 22 missed tackles. It was his first season with more than nine missed tackles.

Elliss, who becomes a free agent in 2026, has a chance to play himself into an extension with a repeat performance in 2025. With the team needing cap space, freeing up Elliss’ $5 million would be helpful.

According to Over The Cap’s projections, the Falcons are more than $7 million over the salary cap, so some work still needs to be done. Either way, Elliss figures to play a major role on this defense next season.