Falcons told to draft dream prospect after ‘crazy’ free agency move left rival executive baffled
The Atlanta Falcons have made multiple moves this offseason, and they are expected to stock up in the NFL Draft.
One of those moves was the addition of Tua Tagovailoa, who was released by the Miami Dolphins at the start of the offseason.
Tua was initially brought into battle with Michael Penix Jr. for the QB.1 spot, but head coach Kevin Stefanski’s latest comments suggest that Tua is the favorite.
One of the more head-scratching decisions Atlanta made was letting linebacker Kaden Elliss walk.
Only five NFL linebackers have compiled more tackles than Elliss since the 2023 season, but the Falcons watched him sign a three-year, $33 million contract with the New Orleans Saints.
Rival NFL exec stunned by Falcons free agency move
It’s a decision that absolutely baffled one unnamed NFL executive.
“The veteran linebacker and Atlanta’s defensive team captain returned to the Saints, the team that drafted him,” the executive wrote, via the Athletic.
“If you are going to pay other guys, why wouldn’t you pay Kaden Elliss? He is 30 years old, and a good player coming off one of his best years.
“Plated like 100 percent of the snaps, can play multiple spots, can rush, play off the ball, it’s crazy.”
Elliss was drafted by the Saints in the seventh round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and quickly proved he was much better than his draft position.
In his first stint with the Saints he appeared in 48 games and had seven sacks in his final year with the team.
Fast-forward to 2025 — the last season of his three-year, $21.5 million run with the Falcons — Elliss had 3.5 sacks, 107 combined tackles and six passes defended.
With Atlanta losing its defensive centerpiece and remaining free-agent options looking slim, they are likely to pivot to the NFL Draft to find their replacement.
Falcons told to draft perfect Kaden Elliss successor
Sports Illustrated’s Tyler Carmona has explained why Michigan’s Jaishawn Barham is the ‘dream’ fit.
“Barham became the focal point of Maryland’s defense the moment he arrived as an 18-year-old, and has developed into a well-rounded, reliable playmaker over the past four years,” Carmona wrote.
“As a run defender, he violently crashes and sheds blockers while taking the most efficient path to the ball, and he’s also shown comfort in coverage.
“A no-nonsense, throwback style player… Barham is the type of blue-collar defender that defensive coordinators dream of coaching.
“The Elliss departure leaves Divine Deablo as Atlanta’s most productive and experienced linebacker.
“Drafting Barham would give Atlanta two-athletic, prototypically-sized linebackers with similar skill sets and experience playing both off the ball and rushing the passer.”
Before transferring to Michigan in 2024, Barham played at Maryland, where as a true freshman, he earned Freshman All-American and All-Big Ten honorable mention honors while totaling 58 tackles.
After watching tape, ESPN analyst Ben Solak compared him to a recent Falcons draftee who found success early in his career.
“Watched Barham last week, and couldn’t believe the lack of hype,” Solak said.
“If you liked Jalon Walker last year, you should be all over Barham… He plays with violence.”
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