As the New Orleans Saints prepare to open the 2026 season on the road against the Detroit Lions, much of the attention has centered on defensive coordinator Brandon Staley and how he’ll fill the void of Demario Davis. According to New Orleans Football Network’s Nick Underhill, one player could be more important to that transition than anyone else: veteran LB Kaden Elliss.
Speaking alongside Mike Triplett, Underhill explained why he believes Elliss is the focal point of what Staley wants to accomplish
defensively.
“Elliss is interesting because I think that he is the piece Staley’s looking at as the straw that stirs the drink a little bit,” Underhill said. “I think he views him as like, here’s my first handpicked chess piece. Like I can do all this stuff with him.”
Underhill believes Elliss’ versatility makes him uniquely valuable in Staley’s defensive scheme, which has historically relied on defenders capable of filling multiple roles. Whether it’s rushing the passer, dropping into coverage or lining up in different spots across the front seven, Elliss gives Staley the flexibility to disguise looks and create favorable matchups.
“I think he opens up the defense and gives them versatility that if he disappeared, I don’t know what you would… I don’t know how that would change,” Underhill continued. “That is a big one because it does feel like he is a little bit more so, positional value aside, like a Jenga block on the defense and that, like if he vanishes, where do you go?”
The comparison stresses just how critical Elliss is to the Saints’ defensive identity, especially following the departure of Demario Davis this offseason in free agency. Rather than simply replacing his production if an injury were to occur, losing Elliss would force Staley to rethink how he deploys the entire defense.
As training camp gets underway, all eyes will be on how Staley utilizes Elliss. If Underhill’s assessment proves accurate, the linebacker won’t just be another starter, but could be the player who makes the Saints’ defensive scheme come to fruition.
