Tag: Millard Bradford

Saints open the second half vs. Titans with a takeaway

The Saints opened the second half against the Titans with a takeaway. Way to reintroduce yourself after missing time with an injury, Monty Rice:

Here’s how you reintroduce yourself after missing time with an injury. The New Orleans Saints opened the second half against the Tennessee Titans with a takeaway. Monty Rice was held out of practice the last week while on the mend with an ankle injury but he was able to dress for Sunday’s preseason game, and he made the most of that opportunity.

Rice tackled Titans running back Jabari Small and punched the ball loose. His teammate, rookie safety Millard Bradford, recovered it and set the Saints offense up in Tennessee territory. It was a great play by both players as they compete for roster spots ahead of cut-downs on Tuesday.

And that competition is fierce. The top of the depth chart at both linebacker and safety appears to be set, so guys like Rice and Bradford are fighting for the few vacancies remaining on the back end of the depth chart or the practice squad. But clutch plays like this will do a lot to help their cases for those jobs.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

Countdown to Kickoff: Millard Bradford is the Saints Player of Day 38

Countdown to Kickoff: Millard Bradford is the Saints Player of Day 38. What must the safety from TCU do to make the team?

We’re continuing our countdown tot he New Orleans Saints’ season opener by highlighting Millard Bradford, the rookie safety from TCU and the current owner of the No. 38 jersey. With 38 days left until kickoff with the  Carolina Panthers, that makes Bradford our Saints Player of the Day:

  • Name (Age): Millard Bradford (24)
  • Position: Safety
  • Height, weight: 5-foot-10, 191 pounds
  • Relative Athletic Score: 7.69
  • 2024 salary cap hit: $798,333
  • College: TCU
  • Drafted: Undrafted in 2024 (New Orleans Saints)
  • NFL experience: Rookie

Bradford signed a standard three-year undrafted free agent contract with the Saint that included $60,000 in guarantees, which is nothing to overlook even if it isn’t on the higher end of the scale for rookies. That suggests they believed he could at least compete for a spot on their practice squad. And the early returns justified that — Millard had several interceptions at rookie minicamp and OTAs this spring, picking off Spencer Rattler twice in one afternoon of work.

He just needs to keep making plays. The more Bradford can do not just defensively but on special teams, the stronger his case becomes. He needs to prove to the Saints that they don’t need to splurge on a free agent safety like Justin Simmons. But with guys well ahead of him on the depth chart like Tyrann Mathieu, J.T. Gray, Johnathan Abram and Jordan Howden, there’s something of a ceiling to how high Bradford could climb. He started his summer strong. He just needs to keep it up now that padded practices have started and with preseason games coming up fast.

[lawrence-auto-related count=5]

B/R writers label Saints’ secondary as the team’s strength

Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu, Paulson Adebo and more. The secondary is clearly the strength of the New Orleans Saints going into 2024:

Free agency and the NFL draft are behind us, so teams’ rosters are mostly complete for 2024. That prompted Bleacher Report’s Alex Ballentine and Kris Knox to identify the biggest strength of every NFC team as organized team activities ensue around the league. Once the strength was identified, Knox followed up with the key returning players, the biggest addition to the unit and a player to track in OTAs.

The New Orleans Saints’ secondary was labeled as the strength of the team. This should come as no surprise. This was the clear strength of the Saints in 2023, and Marcus Maye’s departure isn’t enough to drop the unit significantly. Marshon Lattimore, Tyrann Mathieu and Paulson Adebo still make this unit a force to be reckoned with. Here’s more from Knox and Ballentine:

General manager Mickey Loomis wisely used a first-round pick on offensive lineman Taliese Fuaga, but he came back in Round 2 to snag a first-round-caliber prospect in cornerback Kool-Aid McKinstry.

McKinstry was the 15th-ranked overall prospect on the B/R Scouting Department’s final draft board and has the traits needed to become a solid starter quickly.

“His skills are undeniable and gives defensive coordinators the versatility to play multiple schemes,” Cory Giddings of the B/R Scouting Department wrote.

Fans will undoubtedly follow McKinstry’s development during OTAs and minicamps, but they should also keep an eye on undrafted safety Millard Bradford. The TCU product flashed some strong coverage skills in college (4 passes defended, 2 INTs in 2023) and could provide some additional depth behind Howden.

As long as free-agent addition Chase Young can help improve the pass rush alongside Carl Granderson and Cameron Jordan, New Orleans should have a top-10 pass defense in 2024.

The secondary is arguably the only unit on the team that commands a high level of belief and confidence from the fan base, but New Orleans wasn’t satisfied with rolling over last year’s talent. The Saints bolstered the unit by drafting McKinstry in the second round. He could compete with Alontae Taylor for the starting slot cornerback role as a rookie, but he has a lot of versatility.

Knox also highlighted undrafted rookie Millard Bradford as a player to watch during OTAs. The safety out of TCU could provide depth at the position. Maye’s replacement has yet to be solidified. Making an impression this offseason and preseason could get Bradford closer to that conversation.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler intercepted twice at Saints OTAs on Tuesday

Rookie quarterback Spencer Rattler was intercepted twice at Saints OTAs on Tuesday. But May is the time for making mistakes and learning from them:

It might be time to put that talk about Spencer Rattler starting ahead of Derek Carr to bed. From the reports coming out of New Orleans Saints practices this spring, he isn’t ready to push Jake Haener out of the backup spot, either. The fifth-round draft pick hasn’t exactly hit the ground running.

Rattler was intercepted twice at Tuesday’s organized team activities practice open to the media; both passes were picked off by another rookie, Millard Bradford, an undrafted free agent out of TCU. Locked On Saints host Ross Jackson charted every pass attempt in team drills, which were rough for the first-year pro:

  • Derek Carr: 8-for-8, with a possible sack by defensive end Carl Granderson rushing against Trevor Penning at right tackle
  • Jake Haener: 4-for-7, with a scramble under pressure by blitzing linebacker D’Marco Jackson
  • Spencer Rattler: 3-for-8; Rattler was intercepted once in a 7-on-7 session and again during team drills

This isn’t too surprising, so don’t overreact to it. These practices in May are the time for rookies to be making mistakes like this — they can be valuable learning experiences. So long as Rattler is learning which throws he can and can’t get away with in the NFL, and doesn’t repeat those errors, he’ll be fine.

But for now he’s getting picked off while leading the third-string offense. Carr is the unquestioned starter on the first team, and Haener is in the middle on the second string. There’s plenty of time for Rattler to climb the depth chart. Right now, though, he’s still figuring things out and working to get better.

[lawrence-auto-related count=4]

Dolphins reportedly hosted TCU S Millard ‘Nook’ Bradford on visit

Nook Bradford played in 58 games over five seasons with the TCU Horned Frogs.

The Miami Dolphins were one of a handful of teams that hosted TCU safety Millard “Nook” Bradford on a pre-draft visit, according to Ryan Fowler of The Draft Network.

Bradford played in 58 games over five seasons with the Horned Frogs, racking up 16.5 tackles for loss, four interceptions, two forced fumbles, and two pick sixes in his collegiate career. In his last two seasons, he received All-Big 12 honorable mentions.

At the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine, Bradford put together an impressive workout, recording a 4.42 40-yard dash, 38.5-inch vertical jump, and 124-inch broad jump. But at a hair under 5’11, Bradford’s future as a starting safety in the NFL might be a long shot.

In a recent seven-round mock draft from ESPN’s Matt Miller, Bradford went undrafted. He didn’t appear in a five-rounder from NFL Network’s Chad Reuter either.

Still, as a combine invitee who has made several Top 30 visits, it seems more likely than not that Bradford will hear his name called in April.

The Dolphins signed veteran Jordan Poyer to fill their hole at safety after allowing DeShon Elliott to leave in free agency. But Poyer will turn 33 this month and he’s only under contract for the 2024 season. Miami also brought in USC safety Calen Bullock for a pre-draft visit.

[lawrence-auto-related count=3]

Broncos host TCU safety Nook Bradford on pre-draft visit

The Broncos brought in TCU safety Nook Bradford for a pre-draft visit last month.

The Denver Broncos hosted TCU safety Millard Bradford on a pre-draft visit last month, according to The Draft Network’s Ryan Fowler. He goes by “Nook” Bradford.

Bradford (5-10, 191 pounds) ran a 40-yard dash in 4.42 seconds at the NFL combine, the second-fastest time among safeties (Dadrion Taylor-Demerson ran it in 4.41 seconds).

Bradford spent five seasons with the Horned Frogs, earning honorable mention All-Big 12 recognition in 2023 and 2022. He totaled 231 tackles (16.5 behind the line of scrimmage), 19 pass breakups, four interceptions (two returned for touchdowns), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 58 games at TCU.

Despite his impressive speed, Bradford is projected to go undrafted later this month. The Broncos might be considering him as a college free agent candidate. He projects as a backup safety who could contribute on special teams as a rookie.

Denver holds eight picks in the draft, including three selections in the fifth round and a pair of six-round picks. The 2024 NFL draft will be held in Detroit from April 25-27.

Follow the Broncos Wire Podcast:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts

[vertical-gallery id=620142]