Apr
Bryan Bresee, a defensive tackle, should be selected in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft despite external obstacles restricting his performance at Clemson.
Bryan Bresee, the top high school prospect in the 2020 class, lived up to the hype as a rookie, winning the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year award. But during the course of the rest of his collegiate career, injuries and a family tragedy had an impact on his performance.
Nevertheless, the 6-foot-5, 298-pounder received second-team All-ACC recognition after compiling 15 stops, 5.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks in 10 games during the previous season.
Bryan Bresee is anticipated by several sites to go in the mid- to late first round of the NFL and is currently ranked as the 21st best prospect in the draft on Pro Football Focus’ big board. The following three groups are where he might fit in:
Jacksonville Jaguars
Why should GM Trent Baalke adopt a different strategy this year when choosing Clemson prospects has previously paid off?
Bresee stated to reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that he “wouldn’t mind” having Trevor Lawrence serve as his quarterback once more, and it seems the organization agrees. Jacksonville has “shown plenty of interest in Bresee” as a target with its 24th overall pick, according to Dane Brugler of The Athletic on Monday.
The need for another defensive lineman isn’t urgent, even with Roy Roberston-Harris’ renewal, but the unit lacks depth after losing Arden Key and Dawuane Smoot to free agency.
With the first overall choice in the 2017 NFL Draft, Jacksonville took a chance on OLB Travon Walker’s undeveloped skill. However, Walker only managed 3.5 sacks in his rookie year. Walker and the defense as a whole would probably surpass their 35 combined sacks from last season, which placed them 26th overall, if Bresee is included.
New Orleans Saints
After starters Shy Tuttle and David Onyemata signed with NFC South rivals Carolina and Atlanta, respectively, New Orleans is in serious need of interior defensive lineman. The Saints’ defense had 48 sacks last season, which was the fifth-most in the NFL, thanks in large part to the two’s ability to disrupt offensive lines.
To make up for Tuttle and Onyemata’s losses, DT Khalen Saunders and DE Nathan Shepherd were added; nevertheless, neither deal should have an effect on the team’s selection plan. Saunders and Shepherd didn’t play 40% of their teams’ snaps in the previous season.
The 29th choice in the upcoming draft belongs to the Saints, who traded for it from the Broncos earlier this summer after losing head coach Sean Payton. Bresee was selected by New Orleans in the three-round mock draft created by ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay.
Philadelphia Eagles
With 78 sacks throughout the regular season and playoffs, Philadelphia had one of the league’s most fearsome defenses last season. This was the third-highest total for a franchise in league history. Sadly, it lost a number of important players this summer, and it now needs to find capable replacements, especially for Pro Bowl DT Javon Hargrave and his 11 sacks in 2022.
The Eagles would be happy to choose Georgia DT Jalen Carter at pick 10, but despite his warning signs, it’s unlikely that he would go that low. Bresee won’t be a top-10 pick and isn’t Carter, but if Philadelphia selects him with the 30th overall choice in the first round, he may be a bargain.
Bresee was occasionally outmatched and frequently double-teamed in school, but combining him with the large-framed Jordan Davis (6-foot-6, 335 pounds) should help him reach his full potential.
