NFL CAREER – Kaden Elliss was selected by the Saints with their second of two seventh round draft choices (244th overall) in the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Idaho. Elliss is a strong, athletic player with coverage, pass rush and run-stopping abilities who saw his role expand on defense in addition to refining his craft on special teams. In 2021, he appeared in 13 games with one start and recorded 13 tackles (six solo) his first career sack and a fumble recovery while adding four special teams stops. The son of former National Football League standout Luther Elliss, he will look to play a bigger role for New Orleans in 2022, utilizing his strength, speed and size.
CAREER TRANSACTIONS – Activated from Reserve/COVID-19, 12/29/21; Placed on Reserve/COVID-19, 12/23/21; Activated from Reserve/COVID-19, 8/7/20; Placed on Reserve/COVID-19, 8/6/20; Placed on Injured Reserve, 9/25/19; Signed four-year contract, 5/10/19; Selected in the seventh round (244th overall) of the 2019 NFL Draft.
2021 – Appeared in 13 games with one start and recorded 13 tackles (six solo), his first career sack and a fumble recovery, while adding four special teams stops…Vs. Green Bay, Sept. 12, saw action on defense and special teams, recovering one fumble in New Orleans' 38-3 win…At Carolina, Sept. 19, saw action at linebacker and on special teams, recording a coverage tackle…At New England, Sept. 26, recorded a career-high four tackles (three solo) in the 28-13 road win…Vs. N.Y. Giants, Oct. 3, saw time on defense and special teams, recorded three tackles (one solo)…Vs. Atlanta, Nov. 7, saw time on defense and special teams, recording three tackles…At Tennessee, Nov. 14, made the first start of his career at LB and saw time on special teams, recording one solo tackle and one special teams stop...Vs. Buffalo, Nov. 25, had one solo tackle and recorded his first career sack...Missed the next four contests with a hamstring injury as well as being placed on the Reserve/COVID-19 list…At Atlanta, 1/9/22, recorded one defensive tackle and one special teams stop. 2020 – Appeared in 15 regular season games and two postseason contests recording five special teams tackles (four solo)…At Detroit, Oct. 4, saw action on defense and on special teams, recording one coverage tackle…Vs. L.A. Chargers, Oct. 12, saw action on special teams and recorded one tackle…At Chicago, Nov. 1, appeared on special teams, recording an assisted tackle…At Tampa Bay, Nov. 8, saw action on special teams, recording one coverage stop...Vs. San Francisco, Nov. 15, played on special teams…Vs. Kansas City, Dec. 20, played on special teams and recorded one tackle. 2019 – Played in the first three games of 2019, posting one assisted tackle on special teams…Vs. Houston, Sept. 9, made NFL regular season debut on special teams…Had first career stats at L.A. Rams, Sept. 15, recording one assisted special teams stop.
COLLEGE – In four seasons at Idaho, amassed 288 stops, 47 tackles for loss and 17 sacks, starting 47-of-48 games…As a senior, started all 11 games and was named All-Big Sky first-team and to the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Hampshire Honor Society...Recorded 60 tackles (41 solo), seven sacks, three passes defensed, a forced fumble and a recovery...The team leader with 16 tackles for loss and ranked second in the Big Sky Conference in stops for loss and third in sacks. Also caught three passes for 20 yards…As a junior, named second-team All-Sun Belt Conference at LB and started all 12 games recording six sacks, two fumbles, ranked third in conference with 16 tackles for loss and second in conference with 15 solo tackles for loss...Also played on offense at tight end and wide receiver recording seven receptions for 156 yards and two TDs...First FBS player to record a sack and a touchdown reception in the same game since 2013, accomplishing the feat twice…As a sophomore, named All-Sun Belt Honorable Mention and finished with 65 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, five interceptions, one returned for a touchdown and two fumble recoveries…As a true freshman, finished second on team with 83 tackles, four quarterback hurries and one sack…Graduated with a bachelor's degree in operations management.
PERSONAL - Named Utah High School Athletic Association Most Valuable Player in 2013 after leading Judge Memorial Catholic (Salt Lake City, Utah) HS to its first state championship in 30 seasons as the team's starting quarterback and defensive end....Earned Deseret News 3A MVP…Threw for 714 yards and nine touchdowns, added 921 rushing yards and 16 TDs on ground and on defense, registered 52 tackles and one interception...Honor roll member throughout high school…In 2020, spoke about the importance of athletic-educational balance at Sacred Heart School...One of 12 children...Father, Luther is Utah's defensive tackles coach and was a 12-year NFL veteran and a two-time Pro Bowl selection...Younger brother Christian also played for the Vandals and is currently a member of the Philadelphia Eagles…Played in the 2022 Saints Hall of Fame Golf Tournament.
