Buccaneers address a major roster hole with Alabama edge Chris Braswell in the second round of the NFL draft
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell with the 57th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bucs really needed to address three areas badly in this draft: interior offensive line, cornerback, and edge rusher. Through two rounds, they've done that with two of them by taking Duke center Graham Barton […]
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell with the 57th overall pick of the 2024 NFL Draft.
The Bucs really needed to address three areas badly in this draft: interior offensive line, cornerback, and edge rusher. Through two rounds, they've done that with two of them by taking Duke center Graham Barton and now Braswell.
A to Z Sports' draft analyst James Foster ranks Braswell as his 39th best overall prospect and 7th overall edge rusher.
Chris Braswell Scouting Report from A to Z Sports Film Room's James Foster
Strengths:
- Lethal cross-chop to defeat outside hand
- Fluid hips, good bend around the edge
- Outstanding edge-setter for his size – locks arms, separates from block, disengages violently
- Can push the pocket with long-arm/speed-to-power vs unsuspecting tackles
- Engages & sheds blocks with active hands
- Fluid transitions to inside counters (swim/rip) when 1st move fails
Weaknesses:
- Average length & frame
- Power rush dies quickly once blocker drops his anchor
- Can get moved by double teams/strong OTs when he doesn't set his base
- Too easily neutralized by chip help
- Doesn't sustain power when turning the corner
Braswell offers the athleticism, quickness, and aggressiveness to become a good pass rusher at the NFL level. He had a big year in 2023 for Alabama, totaling 8 sacks with 10.5 tackles for loss to go with 46 combined tackles playing opposite first round pick Dallas Turner.
If there's something he could stand to work on, it's his run defense, for which he earned a 67.2 Pro Football Focus grade compared to an 87.9 mark in pass rush in 2023. If he can work on improving in setting the edge against the run, he should settle into an every down role with a solid ceiling. For now, he's at worst a good situational pass rusher.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers immediately upgrade a sore spot with their first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft
It's official: The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have selected former Duke Blue Devil, Graham Barton, with the 26th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. The Bucs wasted no time turning in their pick, which came as no surprise. It was widely known that Jason Licht and co. were looking to upgrade the center position, and […]
