Third-Round Choice Vernon Broughton May Be Just What The Saints Needed For Their Defense
Broughton was the seventh choice in the third round and the 71st overall selection. He was the 10th defensive tackle picked and the first of four consecutive defensive players that the Saints would draft.
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New Orleans needs to fix a defense that ranked 30th overall last season, including a woeful 31st against the run. Here are the abilities that attracted the Saints to Broughton that might help do it.
DT - Vernon Broughton, Texas
Clemson Tigers quarterback Cade Klubnik (2) is pressured by Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45). Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
The Longhorns won the recruiting battle for Broughton, a four-star recruit from Cypress Ridge High School in Texas. Between 2020 and 2022, Broughton would appear in 26 games as a reserve. Over that stretch, he had 1.5 sacks and 3 tackles for loss among his 14 total tackles.
By 2023, Broughton was a more active member of the Longhorns line rotation and had a sack to go with 5 tackles for loss. He was a starter last season and would respond with 4 sacks, 5 stops for loss, and 39 total tackles.
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Despite a formidable build at 6'4" and 305-Lbs., Broughton doesn't always play with the necessary power required at an interior line position. He's been inconsistent against the run, too often getting buried or moved off point by double-teams.
Texas Longhorns edge rusher Vernon Broughton (45) rushes Kentucky Wildcats quarterback Cutter Boley (8). Mandatory Credit: Brett Patzke-Imagn Images
A good athlete for his size, Broughton is still developing those traits. He'll need to expand his tools as a pass rusher and must also disengage more consistently to be involved in plays down the line.
Broughton gets almost instant penetration into opposing backfields because of his explosive burst at the snap. His constant upper body movement helps him set up counter moves and gives him several tools as a pass rusher.
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Against the run, Broughton plays with very good leverage that helps him anchor against double-teams, especially with increased strength. Once he's able to disengage, his terrific lateral agility helps him make plays down the line of scrimmage. He also has surprising speed and closing burst to chase plays down from behind.
Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Vernon Broughton (45) hits Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard (18) during the Cotton Bowl Classic College Football Playoff semifinal. © Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Bo Davis was the defensive line coach at Texas for three years while Broughton was with the Longhorns. Davis is the new defensive line coach of the Saints. Clearly, the familiarity between Davis and Broughton was a major factor in the choice.
Broughton must show that he can be a force inside against the run at the NFL level. However, he also has enough athletic skills and pass rush ability to play end in 3-man fronts that the Saints are expected to employ more often.
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New Orleans desperately needed a big-bodied interior force, particularly against opposing rushing attacks. The familiarity between Bo Davis and Vernon Broughton could be an indication that the Saints believe they found just that player in Round 3 of this year's draft.
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