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The New Orleans Saints have had an intriguing 2025 NFL draft so far, with picks in the first two rounds that may have surprised fans and media alike. Both picks ultimately ended up being about who the front office and coaching staff liked, so they went with them, and it will be interesting to see if they pan out. With their first selection in the third round at No. 71, they selected defensive lineman Vernon Broughton from Texas.
Broughton is a big body who plays likely as a 3-4 defensive end, who has shown immense promise at the collegiate level and in 2024 had the most productive year of his career. He posted 39 tackles (24 solo, 15 assisted), four sacks, two forced fumbles with three recoveries, 26 hurries, and two pass deflections. At 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, he has immense size and has the build to be a great defensive lineman between the gaps.
While he does not have an Relative Athletic Score (he wasn't able to work out for teams due to a minor injury), he has shown flashes of strong athleticism on the field, with extremely impressive explosiveness and a very rapid first step. He is exceptional in run defense, and his wingspan allows him to not only break down running lanes but also make athletic tackles you would not expect to be within his range.
He is an exciting prospect and will team up with his former coach, Bo Davis, who worked with him from 2021 to 2023, and likely had some input on the pick. Broughton is an exciting prospect who will shore up the run defense problems the Saints have had in previous years and could add to a scary interior pass rush alongside Bryan Bresee.
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL draft: New Orleans Saints third-round pick Vernon Broughton grade
Continue reading...
Broughton is a big body who plays likely as a 3-4 defensive end, who has shown immense promise at the collegiate level and in 2024 had the most productive year of his career. He posted 39 tackles (24 solo, 15 assisted), four sacks, two forced fumbles with three recoveries, 26 hurries, and two pass deflections. At 6-foot-5, 311 pounds, he has immense size and has the build to be a great defensive lineman between the gaps.
While he does not have an Relative Athletic Score (he wasn't able to work out for teams due to a minor injury), he has shown flashes of strong athleticism on the field, with extremely impressive explosiveness and a very rapid first step. He is exceptional in run defense, and his wingspan allows him to not only break down running lanes but also make athletic tackles you would not expect to be within his range.
He is an exciting prospect and will team up with his former coach, Bo Davis, who worked with him from 2021 to 2023, and likely had some input on the pick. Broughton is an exciting prospect who will shore up the run defense problems the Saints have had in previous years and could add to a scary interior pass rush alongside Bryan Bresee.
Grade: B+
This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: NFL draft: New Orleans Saints third-round pick Vernon Broughton grade
Continue reading...
