Tag: Christian Elliss

PFF names underrated Patriot as one player the team must re-sign

Who is the one player the Patriots can’t afford to lose in free agency?

Not only are the New England Patriots thinking about the talent they can acquire in free agency, but they’re also considering the talent they could potentially lose.

Pro Football Focus’ Dalton Wasserman named one player each NFL team can’t afford to lose in the upcoming offseason. There was a mild surprise for the Patriots with linebacker Christian Elliss being chosen as the one free agent the team has to keep.

Elliss had 80 tackles, a sack and a half, a forced fumble and an interception last season. He was a highly productive player with the linebacker unit decimated with injuries. He took full advantage of his extended opportunities on the field by having a career season.

Wasserman wrote:

Elliss was New England’s highest-graded linebacker in 2024, as the rest of the unit struggled to find its footing. He is a versatile player who can provide value off the ball or when lined up on the edge. Much of the Patriots’ offseason focus will be on offense, but they still won’t want too many contributors departing from the defense in the process.

Elliss is undoubtedly at the top of the Patriots’ free-agent list, but this is still a big mention considering cornerback Jonathan Jones and defensive end Deatrich Wise Jr., two Super Bowl champions, are also free agents in the offseason.

The Patriots will have some tough decisions to make in the coming weeks, and Elliss is clearly one of them.

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WATCH: Patriots LB Christian Elliss snags pop-up interception vs. Colts

Christian Elliss came up with a takeaway against the Colts

The New England Patriots and Indianapolis Colts looked like two evenly matched football teams with both sides making plays on the ball throughout Sunday’s game.

The Patriots’ defense made several solid plays of their own, including an interception by linebacker Christian Elliss in the first quarter that led to points on the ensuing offensive drive.

The interception was recorded off a tipped pass by Jahlani Tavai. Elliss was able to grab the ball and run it back for additional field position. It was Elliss’ first interception of his NFL career.

It was a day where turnovers and field position loomed large for both teams.

Elliss’ contribution was certainly noteworthy on a day when the Patriots mostly struggled defensively. He is starting to prove that he’s more than just a special-teamer as he continues to make defensive plays for New England.

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2024 NFL mock draft: Eagles reload in secondary with All-American cornerback

We’re looking at a 2024 NFL Mock Draft and the Baltimore Ravens are projected to land cornerback Quinyon Mitchell out of Toledo

The Eagles are 10-4 and looking to snap a three-game losing streak when they host Tommy DeVito and the New York Giants on Christmas Day.

Even with Nick Sirianni’s team clinching a playoff berth for the third straight year, it’s never too early for a look ahead at the NFL draft.

Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.

We’re looking ahead, and mock draft roundups have the Birds restocking in the trenches or the secondary.

Patriots claim former Eagles linebacker off waivers on Friday

After waiving Ty Montgomery, the Patriots announce signing of former Eagles LB.

Former Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Christian Elliss was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots on Friday.

The move came after the Patriots waived veteran running back Ty Montgomery, following a critical special teams mistake in Thursday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Elliss has bounced around the NFL to multiple teams since going undrafted out of Idaho in 2021. He contributed some on defense for the Eagles this season, but the bulk of his work for the team came on special teams.

His snap count more than doubled from last season with him being in on 119 defensive snaps and 238 special teams snaps so far this year. The Eagles waived him to make room for recently signed veteran linebacker Shaq Leonard.

They could have stashed Elliss back on the practice squad if he cleared waivers, but the Patriots stepped up and put in a claim for some much-needed help with their struggling special teams unit.

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Cardinals just miss out on former Eagles LB Christian Elliss

The Cardinals were one of six teams to place a claim on Elliss. He landed with the Pats, who have the No, 2 priority just ahead of Arizona.

The Arizona Cardinals apparently wanted to get some help at linebacker. They didn’t get it, though.

The Philadelphia Eagles released linebacker Christian Elliss with the signing of former Indianapolis Colts linebacker Shaquile Leonard. He was claimed off waivers by the New England Patriots.

However, Elliss was a popular player on waivers. According to ESPN’s Field Yates, six teams placed waiver claims on Elliss, including the Cardinals.

Were it not for the Patriots, who have the No. 2 priority in waiver claims behind the Carolina Panthers, the Cardinals, who are No. 3 in priority, would have landed him.

Elliss, who has mostly played on special teams in three seasons with the Eagles, would know Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon and defensive coordinator Nick Rallis, who were on the Eagles’ staff last season. Rallis was Elliss’ position coach.

So the Cardinals just missed out on a player familiar to the coaches who could add depth and contribute on special teams.

Should the Patriots decide to move on from Elliss for any reason, keep an eye on  the Cardinals and the waiver wire. If they wanted him once, they likely would still want him.

Listen to the latest from Cards Wire’s Jess Root on his podcast, Rise Up, See Red. Subscribe on Apple podcasts or Spotify.

6 teams put in waiver claims for Christian Elliss as former Eagles LB lands with Patriots

Six teams put in waiver claims for Christian Elliss as former #Eagles linebacker lands with New England Patriots

The Christian Elliss experiment at linebacker is over, as Philadelphia waived the special teams standout after signing Shaquille Leonard to the roster.

Ellis won’t be back on the practice squad and land on his feet after being claimed by the New England Patriots.

The move won’t be made official until Friday because the Patriots play the Steelers on Amazon Prime’s Thursday Night Football.

Elliss would have landed on his feet regardless, with Field Yates reporting that five other teams, including Jonathan Gannon’s Cardinals, put in waivers for the special teams standout.

In 12 games this season, Elliss has 16 tackles, two tackles for loss, and one quarterback pressure. The 24-year-old started his first career in Week 13 against the San Francisco 49ers.

Elliss joined the organization in 2021 after being waived by the Minnesota Vikings. Elliss made 26 tackles in 19 games with the Eagles.

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2024 NFL mock draft: Eagles add a familiar name at LB, while rebuilding in the trenches

Eagles add Jeremiah Trotter Jr. in round two of a 2024 NFL mock draft

The Eagles are 10-1 and atop the NFC East, but it’s never too early for a look ahead to the 2024 NFL draft.

Philadelphia has never drafted an off-the-ball linebacker in the first round, and they won’t this spring either, but Howie Roseman will reload in the trenches and could get a familiar name in the second round.

We’re looking ahead, and mock draft roundups have the Birds restocking in the trenches.

Eagles’ linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury

Philadelphia Eagles’ linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury

On the day that Philadelphia is hosting Shaquille Leonard on a free-agent visit, the team expects starting linebacker Zach Cunningham to miss time with a hamstring injury.

According to The Inquirer’s Jeff McLane, Cunningham will be out this week against San Francisco, and he could potentially miss more time.

Christian Elliss played 27 snaps in relief of Cunningham last Sunday, amassing seven tackles and one tackle for loss on the afternoon.

If Cunningham does miss time, the Eagles will start Elliss alongside Nicholas Morrow, while rookie Ben VanSumeren could be signed to the active roster.

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Eagles to sit QB Jalen Hurts and other key starters in preseason opener vs. Ravens

With two days of joint practices looming with the Cleveland Browns, the Philadelphia #Eagles will sit their key starters in the preseason opener vs. the Ravens

The Eagles and Ravens are just moments from kicking things off at M&T Bank Stadium, and with two days of joint practices with the Browns looming, Jalen Hurts, and other vital starters won’t see any action.

Over the next 12 days, Philadelphia will host Cleveland for two joint practice sessions, and then Indianapolis for one session before a Thursday night preseason finale.

The decision to rest crucial starters will allow select veterans and 2023 rookies the chance to perform and get on or off the roster bubble with cuts approaching.

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7 Eagles with the most to gain in preseason opener vs. Ravens

We’re looking at seven Philadelphia Eagles with the most to gain during the preseason opener against the Baltimore Ravens

The Eagles will kick off their preseason against the Ravens on Saturday night, and the contest offers an exciting backdrop for several key roster battles.

Philadelphia is loaded with talent, but critical positions like a linebacker, safety, and running back have camp battles that could take several weeks to sort out.

With kickoff now five and a half hours away, here are seven Eagles with the most to gain against Baltimore.