Is Christian Elliss a diamond in the rough?

Linebacker had a good season in 2024

The Las Vegas Raiders signed New England Patriots restricted free agent linebacker Christian Elliss to an offer sheet after losing last year’s starters Robert Spillane and Divine Deablo earlier in free agency.

While the Patriots could match the Raiders’ offer and reclaim Elliss, New England already brought in Spillane and signed linebacker Jack Gibbens just hours before the Elliss news broke. With a crowded position group after the two free-agent additions, there’s a good chance the Pats opt to let the linebacker go. The Raiders might have found a diamond in the rough if that’s the case.

Elliss has rich NFL bloodlines as his father, Luther, was a two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle for the Detriot Lions, his brother Kaden is a current linebacker for the Atlanta Falcons, while his brother Jonah is an edge-rusher for the Denver Broncos and Noah was a defensive tackle with the Philadelphia Eagles for two seasons.

Christian played for his father in college as Luther was Idaho’s defensive line coach from 2017 to 2021. The younger Elliss then began his NFL career with some adversity. He went undrafted in 2021 and signed with the Minnesota Vikings, only to get cut and spend brief stints on the Philadephia Eagles’ and San Francisco 49ers’ practice squads.

While the Eagles gave him a roster spot for nearly two years, he rarely saw the field defensively and was waived before the end of the 2023 campaign. But that led Elliss to New England where he had a breakout performance last fall.

According to Pro Football Focus, Elliss recorded 514 defensive snaps in 2024 after getting just 159 opportunities in three years with the Eagles. He fared well in PFF’s grading system, posting marks of 72.6 overall, 70.1 against the run and 66.1 in coverage to earn a starting spot during the second half of the season.

From Week 9 through the regular season, Elliss’ 72.8 PFF coverage grade ranked 11th among linebackers due in part to forcing three incompletions — tied for sixth-most at the position — at a 25 percent rate, the highest at the position by eight percent.

CLNS Media’s Taylor Kyles shared a video of what the linebacker brings to the table, which highlights his impressive ball skills in coverage. Last season, quarterbacks threw five incompletions (18 for 23) when targeting Elliss, and four were via PBUs while he also came down with an interception off a tipped pass. Additionally, he never allowed more than 27 yards in a single game.

Still only 26 years old and not turning 27 until January, Elliss could have a bright future given he’s coming off a campaign where he set career highs in total tackles (80) with just five starts, sacks (1.5), QB hits (five) and passes defended (six). Also, the video Kyles shared above showed off some impressive instincts against the run.

Time will tell, but the Raiders might have found a diamond in the rough with Elliss. New England has until Monday to match Las Vegas’ offer and if they don’t, the Silver and Black will have another contender for a starting linebacker spot.