Get to know UDFA Myles Bryant, who Patriots signed amid roster shuffle

The Patriots signed cornerback Myles Bryant to the 53-man roster.

Let’s start off with the weird stuff. The New England Patriots continue to play a version of human pong with Nick Folk. The kicker was signed on Aug. 24, released on Sept. 4, signed to the practice squad on Sept. 6, was the starting kicker Week 1 against the Dolphins, then got sent back down to the practice squad.

Long story short, he’s back on the 53-man roster, along with former Washington cornerback and undrafted free agent Myles Bryant. New England also signed QB Jake Dolegala and OL James Ferentz to the practice squad. Good stuff.

But the biggest addition here is Bryant, so let’s get to know the former Huskies starter.

Bryant stands at 5-foot-9 and weighs 185 pounds. In four years at Washington, the 22-year-old registered 177 tackles (12 for loss), 15 passes defensed, 4.5 sacks, 4 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles and 2 fumbles recoveries in 38 career games.

He went undrafted in 2020, likely because of a poor performance at the NFL Combine. He ran a 4.62-second 40-yard dash, recorded a 31.5-inch vertical leap and a 6.81-second three-cone drill, all of which are below average for the cornerback position. But the Combine hardly tells the entire story.

Bryant plays fast and aggressive and manages to make plays despite his size. Just ask Jason McCourty, who gave the rookie a glowing review earlier in the offseason and then again when asked about him on Wednesday.

It seems as if Bryant will be used on special teams (if anything) given the Patriots’ loaded secondary, which features Stephon Gilmore, JC Jackson, the McCourty twins, Adrian Phillips, Joejuan Williams, Kyle Dugger, and others. Perhaps Bill Belichick wants to see what he’s capable of.

Nonetheless, Bryant has experience on the big stage. At Washington he played in the Rose Bowl, Peach Bowl, Fiesta Bowl and Las Vegas Bowl, though only winning the latter. The Huskies also won the Pac-12 twice while he was there, so he’s been present for many big games for having been undrafted.

Per Chris Mason of MassLive, Bryant dominated during a training camp practice on Aug. 20, which likely kept the team interested in his abilities.

"“An undrafted rookie out of Washington, Bryant had his best day of camp. He intercepted both Stidham and Hoyer, had a pair of pass breakups, and stood out all morning — and not just because he’s a defensive back wearing No. 63. With one of New England’s top cornerbacks on the shelf, Bryant made the most of his additional reps.”"

Does this sound like a Belichick-type player to you? Sure does to us!

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