NFL analyst says Falcons LB could be franchise tag candidate in 2026
The Atlanta Falcons had no choice but to let some players walk in free agency due to the team's lack of salary cap space. Center Drew Dalman signed with the Chicago Bears, linebacker Lorenzo Carter landed a contract with the Tennessee Titans, and defensive lineman Grady Jarrett was released before following Dalman to Chicago.
Several more Falcons players, including linebacker Kaden Elliss, tight end Kyle Pitts and right tackle Kaleb McGary, will become unrestricted free agents in 2026. The team won't have much cap space to work with next season, unless Kirk Cousins is traded or released.
Even if Atlanta finds a way to offload Cousins, there still won't be much money to spend on free agents. That will leave the team with some tough decisions to make in the offseason. One option for the Falcons could be to use the franchise tag on their most coveted player.
Pro Football Sports Network's Brandon Austin named Elliss as the Falcons' top franchise tag candidate for the 2026 NFL season:
Kaden Elliss, who ranked 51st in our list of the top 100 free agents for 2026, is coming off a strong 2024 season with the Atlanta Falcons. He started all 17 games and recorded a career-high 151 combined tackles, including 85 solo stops. Elliss also tallied five sacks, 43 pressures, and 17 quarterback hits, with an outstanding 29.3% pressure rate on just 147 pass-rush snaps.
His consistent production highlights his emergence as one of the NFL's most effective blitzing linebackers. With linebacker franchise tag values projected around $28 million for 2026, the Falcons could use the tag to retain Elliss in the short term while they work out an extension. They just have to decide if he's worth such a lofty amount. Either way, he could be in for a payday. -- Brandon Austin, PFSN
As mentioned by PFSN, Elliss had a career year in 2024 and was one of the few consistent pieces on Atlanta's defense last season. Elliss, the son of two-time Pro Bowl defensive lineman Luther Elliss, signed a three-year, $21.5 million contract with the Falcons in 2023.
The former Saints linebacker has become a versatile weapon for Atlanta's defense, whether he's rushing the quarterback or dropping into coverage. While Elliss makes sense as a franchise tag candidate, the Falcons have a handful of players to choose from.
Right tackle Kaleb McGary also has a case for the franchise tag, assuming he performs well in 2025. Kyle Pitts, despite his underwhelming production, could be in the mix for the tag if he has a big year this season.
Check out the full list of Falcons players who will become free agents in 2026, along with our latest 53-man roster projection for 2025.
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