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Saints rookie looks like a franchise cornerstone already
USA TODAY Sports

There's been plenty of doom and gloom for the New Orleans Saints to begin this season. For good reason, the team has shown rough inconsistencies, and it has been a disappointing start to the year.

Rookie defensive lineman Bryan Bresee has been a bright spot, though. The NFL is noticing, and media everywhere are jumping on his hype train - for good reason. 

Bresee is already flashing elite pass rushing ability from the inside, and he has been arguably the most disruptive rookie on the IDL. The run stopping technique needs work, but that is nothing new for a rook. 

The interior of the DL had become a weakness for the Saints. It lacked upside and excitement for New Orleans, but that has changed with the addition of the former Clemson Tiger. Don't forget that Bresee was taken with the first-round pick that the Saints got in return for Sean Payton in last year's draft, too. 

Bresee has 1.5 sacks, four quarterback hits, six pressures, and three tackles for loss. The rookie has had two sacks, including a forced fumble, taken away by penalty. 

Bresee is second on the team in sacks, QB hits, and stops for loss. The edge rushers aren't even out-producing him when it comes to getting to the QB right now. Keep in mind that he is only playing just under 50% of snaps so far as well.

The rookie's power/burst combo creates a physical freak that should be a staple for the Saints defense for years to come.

This article first appeared on A to Z Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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