SHIFT: Brandon Staley's New Orleans Saints Defense Must Be Ready For Multi-TE Wave With Kaden Elliss

The New Orleans Saints defense is gearing up to counter the NFL’s rising trend of multiple tight end sets, facing an intense 2026 schedule loaded with two- and three-tight end offenses. Additions like Kaden Elliss, Christen Miller, and Anfernee Jennings shore up the run defense and coverage against these heavier packages. The challenge intensifies as nine of the top 12-personnel usage teams from 2025 are on the Saints’ docket, including the Cleveland Browns, Atlanta Falcons, and Arizona Cardinals. The linebacker group faces tough questions after the departure of Demario Davis and limited offseason moves beyond Ellisa and the emerging Danny Stutzman. Meanwhile, Jonas Sanker’s potential STAR/slot role and adjustments in the Saints’ zone-heavy Brandon Staley defense could be key to neutralizing tight end mismatches. 00:23 Saints Defense Ready To Match Up 10:32 New Additions Bring Help 20:29 Saints' Opponents Embracing TE Shift 26:15 Linebacker Room Has Unanswered Questions BECOME A LOCKED ON SAINTS ALL-ACCESS MEMBER: https://lockedonsaints.supercast.com/ Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... Locked On NFL League-Wide: Every Team, Fantasy, Draft & More 🎧https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts... LouisianaSports.Net's Ross Jackson hosts the Locked On Saints Podcast keeping the Who Dat Nation up-to-date with everything you need to know about your beloved New Orleans Saints. And follow Ross on Twitter, where he’ll be sharing the latest news about the New Orleans Saints and talking with fans. On Twitter:   / rossjacksonnola   Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everyday... Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! Square If you’re starting a business, or running one that deserves better tools, Square helps you sell, manage, and grow without slowing down. Right now, you can get up to $200 off Square hardware at https://square.com/go/LockedOnNFL. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. Right now new customers can bet just five dollars and get one-hundred and fifty dollars in bonus bets if your first bet wins. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast. Gametime Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN)