The Jets are expected to sign former Mississippi State safety Brandon Bryant, a source tells Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter). Bryant wasn’t selected in Wednesday’s supplemental draft, clearing the way for him to sign with Gang Green.
The team announced the signing Monday.
Bryant has been praised for his high-end athleticism, but he didn’t set the world on fire at his pro day. Still, he ran a 40-yard-dash in the 4.4-second range for teams and he’s viewed as someone who could be a special teams contributor right off the bat.
In a recent scouting report, Tony Pauline of DraftAnalyst.com praised Bryant’s “huge upside” and ability to take off in every direction. While he moves well laterally and effectively covers receivers on crossing patterns, Pauline was less effusive in his evaluation of Bryant’s physicality and sense of urgency.
As a freshman, Bryant totaled 63 tackles, three interceptions, and six pass breakups. He has not been able to reprise that performance since then, however, and off-the-field troubles have hurt his stock in recent months. Bryant was arrested and charged for a DUI in January of last year and was declared academically ineligible for this season, prompting him to go pro.
The Jets will start Jamal Adams and Marcus Maye at safety and project to have Terrence Brooks and J.J. Wilcox as their top backups while Rontez Miles heals up from a knee injury. Bryant will work to crack the roster in the coming weeks, and, if he succeeds, he could displace Appalachian State product Doug Middleton.
What a pro he will be! Look at that resume!