Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
By Ross Jackson
If there was one position that the New Orleans Saints didn’t address that is likely to be of concern, it’s the edge rusher position. With the future of defensive end Cameron Jordan in question and a slew of top options already signed by other teams on the open market, the Saints are left with a glaring need for their third pass rusher role. But they are not without options to address it.
Work with What’s Still Available
While the big ticket names may be off the board, there are still some better-than-serviceable options at edge rusher New Orleans could pursue. Indianapolis Colts pass rusher Samson Ebukam and Atlanta Falcons end Arnold Ebiketie both have connections with the Saints’ coaching staff and could be viable options.
Edge Arnold Ebiketie
+Athletic with a motor
+Very good pursuit
+Speed flashes on film
+Very good change of direction
+Excellent lateral quickness for gap exchanges
+Inside move should be thrown more often!
+Has bend, needs to use it more pic.twitter.com/XbAG75Z1Rp— Erik Turner Cover 1 (@ErikJTurner) February 16, 2026
At the very least, bringing back defensive end Chris Rumph II should be under consideration.
Let Kaden Cook
The Saints are expected to reunite with linebacker Kaden Elliss, their 2019 seventh-round pick who left for a larger role with the Atlanta Falcons for the last three seasons. The signing is expected to become official once the new league year begins at 3 p.m. CT Wednesday.
The Saints are in line to give Elliss an $11 million per year deal, matching that agreement Demario Davis is expected to get with the New York Jets. That puts Elliss in the top-15 of off-ball linebacker contracts. However, he’s also a very impactful pass rusher from the position.
UFA Kaden Elliss (55)
-alignment & skillset versatility
-rush capable inside & outside
-4th most pass rush snaps for LBs (19.4% win rate, 2nd of 62 qualifying)
-good eyes + processing vs run & pass
-good spatial awareness in coverage
-plays violentpic.twitter.com/wIYmFfAR4s https://t.co/gO4HFw5Gwl
— Anthony Cover 1 (@Pro__Ant) February 6, 2026
Per Pro Football Focus, Elliss clocked the fourth-best pass rushing grade at his position last year. The Saints aren’t in need of a full-time pass rusher, but someone to rotate along with edge rusher Chase Young and Carl Granderson instead. Elliss could help to provide that, especially on third downs.
Re-Sign Cameron Jordan
It’s always been a possibility, even though the Saints appear to have let Jordan’s contract void and therefore would accept $18.76 million in dead cap from his contract. But doing so doesn’t completely rule out his return. Sure, the Saints could have extended him and pushed some of that dead cap down the road, but instead, they’ve chosen to take their medicine on his deal and can re-sign him with a new contract that focuses his expense only in the seasons that he remains, rather than future years.
Cam Jordan and sacking ATL QB’s. Name a better duo pic.twitter.com/FBAAoymDYc
— Saints Film Room (@SaintsFilmRoom) January 4, 2026
Jordan will likely draw interest on the open market. But until a new deal is reached elsewhere, a return to New Orleans should be considered possible.
Wait for the Draft
This one is a less-than-ideal strategy, as the Saints like to handle needs in free agency and go for the best players available at each of the NFL Draft selections. However, their need at the position doesn’t necessarily present a “No. 8 overall or bust” kind of situation. This year’s edge rusher class is deep. Finding someone in the second or third days could easily provide the team with a rotational edge rusher.
