Developing undrafted defensive backs is a one of Bill Belichick’s many gifts as an NFL coach.
Cornerbacks Malcolm Butler and J.C. Jackson are two of the biggest examples in recent history and Myles Bryant is trending in the right direction to be within that same conversation. The 23-year-old spent four years with the Washington Huskies and he’s now in Year 2 with the New England Patriots.
He’s coming off his first start, where he had the game-sealing deflection to defeat the Buffalo Bills in a hostile environment on Monday night. Bryant was covering Cole Beasley on the play, but he quickly realized the pass from Josh Allen was intended for Gabriel Davis, so he adjusted and made the monumental play.
Belichick dials up the all out blitz to get the fourth down stop. #ForeverNE
📺: #NEvsBUF on ESPN
📱: https://t.co/wsVL8IokGf pic.twitter.com/eJ7BwilWuz— NFL (@NFL) December 7, 2021
Belichick discussed Bryant’s progress on Monday morning and he praised his level of confidence, along with his ability to quickly pick things up.
Bill Belichick on Myles Bryant: "For a young player, he certainly has picked things up quickly. He plays with a lot of confidence."
Like many of Bryant's teammates have, Belichick mentions Bryant's instincts on the field stand out
— Alex Barth (@RealAlexBarth) December 13, 2021
This isn’t the first time in recent history Belichick has offered this level of praise.
Lot of praise from Bill Belichick for Myles Bryant this morning:
"After two years here, I think everyone has a lot of confidence in him always doing the right thing in every situation."
Devin McCourty has said the same about the young DB. pic.twitter.com/3xVGxXowHF
— Zack Cox (@ZackCoxNESN) December 7, 2021
The Patriots lost Jonathan Jones to a season-ending injury and Stephon Gilmore is no longer with the team — Bryant’s quick development will be crucial for a playoff run this season.
