Latest news with #VernonBroughton
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Countdown to Kickoff: Vernon Broughton is the Saints Player of Day 91
The New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season 91 days from today against the Arizona Cardinals. Currently wearing No. 91 for the Saints is one of several newcomers to the team, rookie defensive lineman Vernon Broughton. As our Saints Player of the Day, it's time to take a closer look at the rookie defender. Name (age): Vernon Broughton II (23) Hometown: Houston, Texas Position: Defensive tackle Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds College: Texas Longhorns Relative Athletic Score: N/A Drafted: Round 3, 71st overall in 2025 (New Orleans Saints) NFL experience: Rookie 2025 salary cap hit: $1,206,872 A four-star recruit out of Cypress Ridge High School in Texas, Broughton elected to stay in-state over recruiting pitches from other national powers. After playing in just two games in 2020 as a freshman, he was a regular part of the defensive line rotation until becoming a starter last season. In his last four years with the Longhorns, Broughton totaled 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss among his 70 total stops. Advertisement New Orleans targeted Broughton with their first of two choices in Round 3, the seventh pick in the round. He was the fifth defensive tackle taken off the board in Day 2. Outside of Bryan Bresee, a first round pick in 2023, Broughton is the highest drafted interior defender by the Saints since Sheldon Rankins in 2016. Broughton has an explosive first step off the snap and good athleticism for his size. He'll need to get stronger and show more consistency against the run, but plays with good leverage against double-teams and shows good lateral movement down the line of scrimmage. Broughton's frame and athleticism gives him some versatility as both an interior lineman or a big end in 3-man fronts. New Orleans ranked 30th in overall defense and a putrid 31st against the run and yards per rush. It's clear that the Saints and new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wanted to get more skilled up front. They picked Vernon Broughton midway through Day 2 of this year's draft to hopefully help them do exactly that. This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: Countdown to Kickoff: Vernon Broughton is the Saints Player of Day 91
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
91 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 91
We've got 91 days left until the New Orleans Saints open up their 2025 season, which means it's time to continue our countdown with every player to wear No. 91 for the black and gold. The No. 91 jersey currently belongs to rookie defensive tackle Vernon Broughton, who the Saints drafted in Round 3 out of Texas this year. The late Will Smith accomplished more than anyone else to use No. 91, having retired with the fourth-most sacks in franchise history (67.5; his protege Cameron Jordan later surpassed him to claim the all-time Saints record). But he isn't the only great player to do the number proud. Trey Hendrickson was a bit of a late bloomer but he developed into one of the better pass rushers of his generation. Other names worth mentioning include Robert Goff and Brady Smith. Advertisement With 91 days to go until the 2025 season kicks off, here's the full list of players to wear No. 91 with the Saints (via Pro Football Reference): Vernon Broughton (2025-Present) May 10, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Vernon Broughton (91) during rookie minicamp at Ochsner Sports Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-Imagn Images Kendal Vickers (2024) Oct 23, 2022; Paradise, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Raiders defensive tackle Kendal Vickers (95) walks off the field after warming up for a game against the Houston Texans at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-USA TODAY Sports Kyle Phillips (2023) Kentavius Street (2022) Sep 11, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Falcons running back Damien Williams (6) is tackled by New Orleans Saints linebacker Pete Werner (20) and defensive tackle Kentavius Street (91) during the first quarter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports Josiah Bronson (2021) Nov 25, 2021; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Josiah Bronson Jr. (91) in the second quarter against the Buffalo Bills at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports Ethan Westbrooks (2021) December 24, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) is brought down by Los Angeles Rams defensive end Ethan Westbrooks (93) during the first half at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports Trey Hendrickson (2017-2020) Nov 8, 2020; Tampa, Florida, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) celebrates as he makes a sack against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports Kasim Edebali (2014-2016) Dec 15, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Bears quarterback Jay Cutler (6) is pressured by New Orleans Saints outside linebacker Kasim Edebali (91) during the second quarter at Soldier Field. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports Will Smith (2004-2012) Feb 2, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith during media day for Super Bowl XLIV at Sun Life Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports Grady Jackson (2002-2003) MIAMI - AUGUST 15: Defensive tackles Kenny Smith #90 and Grady Jackson #91 of the New Orleans Saints crush quarterback Jay Fiedler #9 of the Miami Dolphins during the NFL preseason game on August 15, 2002 at Pro Player Stadium in Miami, Florida. The Saints won 24-7. (Photo By Eliot J. Schechter/Getty Images) Brady Smith (1996-1999) 21 Dec 1997: Elvis Grbac #11 of the Kansas City Chiefs is pursued by Brady Smith #91 of the New Orleans Saints during a game at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs defeated the Saints 25-13. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Daniel /Alls Robert Goff (1990-1995) New Orleans Saints safety Keith Taylor (R) and Saints Robert Goff (L) stop New York Jets running back A.B. Brown on fourth down during the first quarter 26 December 1992, New Jersy. The Saints won 20-0, and will go to the playoffs. AFP PHOTO (Photo by Timothy A. CLARY / AFP) (Photo by TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Ken Marchiol (1987) Aug 13, 2023; New Orleans, Louisiana, USA; Detailed view of the New Orleans Saints helmet and glove during pregame against the Kansas City Chiefs at the Caesars Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY Sports Monte Bennett (1981) Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; A New Orleans Saints helmet on the bench in the second half of their game against the New England Patriots at Mercedes-Benz Superdome. The Patriots won, 26-24. Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-USA TODAY Sports This article originally appeared on Saints Wire: 91 days until Saints season opener: Every player to wear No. 91
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 91
Saints Countdown To NFL Kickoff With The History Of Number 91 originally appeared on Athlon Sports. There are 91 days between now and the 2025 season opener between the New Orleans Saints and Arizona Cardinals. Advertisement New Orleans is hoping to improve on their 5-12 record from last year. They'll look to do it with a new head coach in Kellen Moore and several new faces in key places. Wearing number 91 for the Saints this season will be rookie defensive lineman Vernon Broughton, a third round choice. Here's a look at the other players who have worn that number for New Orleans during a regular season game. Saints History of 91 Feb 3, 2010; New Orleans Saints defensive end Will Smith speaks during a press conference for Super Bowl XLIV. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-Imagn Images • Monte Bennett, DT (1981) • Ken Marchiol, LB (1987) • Robert Goff, DT (1990-95) • Brady Smith, DE (1996-99) • Grady Jackson, DT (2002-03) • Will Smith, DE (2004-12) • Kasim Edebali, LB (2014-16) • Trey Hendrickson, DE (2017-20) Advertisement • Ethan Westbrooks, DE (2021) • Josiah Bronson, DT (2021) • Kentavius Street, DT (2022) • Kyle Phillips, DE (2023) • Kendal Vickers, DT (2024) Oct. 17, 1999; Tennessee Titans quarterback Neil O'Donnell (14) under pressure from New Orleans Saints defender Brady Smith. © George Walker IV / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Bennett was the first to wear 91 for New Orleans in 1981, appearing in 16 games and making six starts during his only year with the team. The number wasn't worn again until 1987, when Marchiol used it for three games as a replacement player during the player strike. Goff was the next to don 91 when joining the Saints as a free agent from Tampa Bay in 1990. He was the first to wear the number for multiple years, recording 5.5 sacks and returning 2 of his 4 fumble recoveries for touchdowns in six years as a Saint. Advertisement Brady Smith came on as a third-round choice in 1996. In four years with New Orleans, he had 13 sacks and was second on the team with 11 stops for loss in 1999. Grady Jackson came to New Orleans with great expectations as a free agent in 2002. He fell far short of those expectations and would be released midway through his second year with the team. In 22 games with the Saints, Jackson had 9 sacks and just 14 stops for loss. Sept 14, 2008; Washington Redskins quarterback Jason Campbell (17) is sacked by New Orleans Saints. Mandatory Credit: James Lang-Imagn Images Will Smith came to New Orleans as the 18th overall choice in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft out of Ohio State. There is little argument that he's the best player to ever wear 91 for the Saints. He also wore the number for the longest, playing 139 games and all of his nine NFL seasons in New Orleans. Advertisement Smith had 67.5 sacks and 90 tackles for loss as a Saint. He also had 2 interceptions and forced 20 fumbles, including an NFL-best 6 forced fumbles in 2004. Smith was inducted into the Saints Hall of Fame in 2016 and the Saints Ring of Honor in 2019. Tragically, his life was lost during a traffic related shooting in 2016. Dec 21, 2015; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) is sacked by New Orleans Saints linebacker Kasim Edebali (91). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Edebali followed Smith in the number 91 as an undrafted rookie in 2014. He played three years in New Orleans, managing 8 sacks, 10 QB hits, and 7 stops for loss as a rotational pass rusher. Hendrickson came to the Saints as a third-round pick in an incredible 2017 draft haul by the team. In his four years with the team, Hendrickson had 20 sacks, 43 QB hits, and 18 tackles for loss. Advertisement Hendrickson's breakout season was 2020, his last year in New Orleans. He had 13.5 sacks, 25 QB hits, and 12 stops for loss that year to lead the Saints in all three categories. Sep 9, 2019; New Orleans Saints defensive end Trey Hendrickson (91) sacks Houston Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson (4). Mandatory Credit: Chuck Cook-Imagn Images Westbrooks, Bronson, Phillips, and Vickers played a combined 13 games for the Saints. Collectively, they had 17 tackles which included one for loss. Street played in all 17 contests for New Orleans in 2021, managing 3.5 sacks and stops for loss with 9 quarterback pressures. Broughton now comes to the Saints in hopes of improving a defense that ranked 30th overall and an embarrassing 31st against the run a year ago. Listed at 6'5" and 311-Lbs., Broughton has the potential versatility to play in the middle or on the end of 3-man fronts for new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley. Advertisement Related: Derek Carr Further Explains Retirement Decision From New Orleans Saints Related: Former Saints Defensive Star Arrested, Per Report Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 92 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 94 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 96 Related: Saints Countdown To Kickoff With The History Of Number 98 This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Countdown to Kickoff: Vernon Broughton is the Saints Player of Day 91
Countdown to Kickoff: Vernon Broughton is the Saints Player of Day 91 Broughton is expected to upgrade the interior defense for New Orleans The New Orleans Saints start their 2025 regular season 91 days from today against the Arizona Cardinals. Currently wearing No. 91 for the Saints is one of several newcomers to the team, rookie defensive lineman Vernon Broughton. As our Saints Player of the Day, it's time to take a closer look at the rookie defender. Name (age): Vernon Broughton II (23) Vernon Broughton II (23) Hometown: Houston, Texas Houston, Texas Position: Defensive tackle Defensive tackle Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 311 pounds 6-foot-5, 311 pounds College: Texas Longhorns Texas Longhorns Relative Athletic Score: N/A N/A Drafted: Round 3, 71st overall in 2025 (New Orleans Saints) Round 3, 71st overall in 2025 (New Orleans Saints) NFL experience: Rookie Rookie 2025 salary cap hit: $1,206,872 A four-star recruit out of Cypress Ridge High School in Texas, Broughton elected to stay in-state over recruiting pitches from other national powers. After playing in just two games in 2020 as a freshman, he was a regular part of the defensive line rotation until becoming a starter last season. In his last four years with the Longhorns, Broughton totaled 6.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss among his 70 total stops. New Orleans targeted Broughton with their first of two choices in Round 3, the seventh pick in the round. He was the fifth defensive tackle taken off the board in Day 2. Outside of Bryan Bresee, a first round pick in 2023, Broughton is the highest drafted interior defender by the Saints since Sheldon Rankins in 2016. Broughton has an explosive first step off the snap and good athleticism for his size. He'll need to get stronger and show more consistency against the run, but plays with good leverage against double-teams and shows good lateral movement down the line of scrimmage. Broughton's frame and athleticism gives him some versatility as both an interior lineman or a big end in 3-man fronts. New Orleans ranked 30th in overall defense and a putrid 31st against the run and yards per rush. It's clear that the Saints and new defensive coordinator Brandon Staley wanted to get more skilled up front. They picked Vernon Broughton midway through Day 2 of this year's draft to hopefully help them do exactly that.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Third-Round Choice Vernon Broughton May Be Just What The Saints Needed For Their Defense
The New Orleans Saints used the first of their two third-round picks in the NFL Draft on Texas Longhorns defensive tackle Vernon Broughton. 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Advertisement 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. Related: Why Saints Drafting Of Kelvin Banks Jr. Made Sense Related: Saints Draft Pick Tyler Shough Among Favorites For 2025 NFL Rookie Of The Year Related: Why The Saints Targeted Oklahoma Linebacker Danny Stutsman In The Draft Related: How Louisville Draft Pick Quincy Riley Fills A Saints Need Related: What Kansas Draft Choice Devin Neal Adds To Saints Offense Related: Syracuse Draft Choice Fadil Diggs May Fill A Critical Role For The Saints
