Saints signed Washington DT Josiah Brunson.
One of the older players in the IDL group, Bronson (6’3/304) was a mere two-star prospect when he enrolled at Temple way back in 2015. Unfortunately, he broke his ankle which cost him his 2015 season and did not step on the field in 2016. Due to the archaic precious transfer rules, he was forced to sit out 2017 when he transferred to Washington as a walk-on. He worked his way into the defensive line rotation in 2018 and earned a scholarship in 2019 when he played 409 snaps while starting 11-of-13 games that year and recording 23 tackles, 4.0 TFL and 2.0 sacks. However, in 2020, his production stagnated a bit. Playing in only four games due to the shortened Pac-12 season, he played 199 snaps but posted just .5 TFL, six hurries, two stops and a 20 percent missed tackle rate. His arms are very short for the position at 31 ½” with a 76 ¼” wingspan. He went through a full complement of tests at his pro day, posting good enough marks to be considered above average athletically with a 6.24 RAS. Lined up over center and in the A-Gap as a hole plugging, stout, early-down run defender. His pass-rush skills are sorely lacking, as he pretty much just bullrushes blocker with little hand fighting acumen or technique. Though stiff in the hips and not fluid in his movements, Bronson does have the ability to control blocks at the point of attack and shed but needs to do it more consistently. His competence disrupting run plays evokes memories of Timmy Jernigan. According to Pelissero, Brunson was a coveted UDFA prospect. The Saints gave him a $25K signing bonus and a $140K base salary to entice him to New Orleans.
