Greg Cosell: Chris Braswell Could Be Matt Judon
April 30th, 2024
Bucs rookie edge rusher Chris Braswell, the Round 2 pick.
In four of the past five years, Crows/Patriots edge rusher Matt Judon has been a Pro Bowler. In his last two healthy seasons (2021 and 2022), has had no less than 12.5 sacks.
If Bucs’ second-round pick Chris Braswell turns into another Judon, Joe could only classify Licht’s pick of Braswell as nothing less than a home run.
Given how the Bucs franchise has not drafted a developed a reliable, double-digit edge rusher since the great Lee Roy Selmon, Licht ought to have Hines Avenue renamed after him if Braswell breaks through.
Why does Joe bring up Judon? Because in his pre-draft analysis of Braswell, Cosell said Braswell reminds him a lot of Judon coming out of college.
Here are highlights of Cosell’s pre-draft breakdown:
STRENGTHS:
– Showed effective hand usage as an edge pass rusher with flexibility to clear the arc and flatten his rush path to the quarterback.
– Burst off the ball generated churning velocity as speed-to-power edge rusher driving back offensive tackle into the pocket.
– One-arm stab was his go-to and best pass-rush move and he had outstanding success with it in multiple games.
– Flashed an inside counter working underneath off initial upfield steps that at times resulted in tackle over-setting.
– Had pass-rush snaps in which he initially challenged the edge then re-directed underneath to make the sack.
– Strength and power were his foundation as a pass rusher; consistently moved offensive linemen on contact.
– Pass-rush snaps in which he cleared the edge then flattened his rush path and closed with a burst to the quarterback.
– He did an excellent job setting the edge in the run game, squeezing inside, playing off the block and making the play.
– Has strength as a run defender to take on and stalemate a pulling offensive lineman; snaps where he stood them up on initial contact.
– Braswell has obvious power in his body and hands, and that almost always transitions to the NFL.
WEAKNESSES:
– Not overly sudden or twitchy, more of a build-up power generator than a raw explosive mover.
– Does not possess the motorcycle lean flexibility to bend the edge and flatten his rush path to close with speed.
– Needs to develop a wider array of pass-rush moves and counters to become an effective edge rusher in the NFL.
BOTTOM LINE:
There is a Matt Judon comparison to be made when Judon came out of Grand Valley State and was a fifth-round pick of the Ravens. Judon was a little bigger (270 pounds), but keep in mind that Judon did not start a game as a rookie and did not develop as an NFL pass rusher until his second season.
Cosell makes a key point Joe has made often. Though nothing is absolute, generally, unless a rookie edge rusher’s name is “Bosa,” rookie edge rushers don’t make an impact.
So Joe expects little from Braswell this season. That’s just the way of the NFL. Now if Braswell could match YaYa Diaby’s sack total last year as a rookie (7.5). Joe would be quite happy.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:46 am
Bucs coach Kacy Rodgers hinted that Vita Vea looks much different this spring, meaning people are going to be surprised how much weight he loss. I think the Bucs are going to get a ton of sacks this year with Yaya, Braswell, Vita and Kacy.
April 30th, 2024 at 11:49 am
Is that a picture of Jameis? lol
April 30th, 2024 at 12:27 pm
But does it help that Braswell competed on a daily basis against an amazing offensive line, also positionally competed with 2 very effective pass rushers and then played in the SEC against some of the best football teams in college? Judon probably had a lot more development needed to get to the point where he was in year 2.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:34 pm
“Braswell has obvious power in his body and hands, and that almost always transitions to the NFL.”
There’s the takeaway….
Coach him up George Edwards.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:35 pm
We all hope so, he was pretty good last year after getting out of the shadows of two greats in Bama. So without any of the could be scenarios we’ll just hope that he can make the jump to the NFL and soar soon. Go Bucs!!!
April 30th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
These zoom pictures are awful. Joe, there has to be better publicly available pics, no?
April 30th, 2024 at 12:38 pm
I see Braswell as most likely to be bust. He just does nothing all that well.
Just being honest. I love the other picks. Especially, Tykee Smith.
April 30th, 2024 at 12:50 pm
Surprised to hear you say that Slypirate. I really like that pick. Have you seen info on his strength? Dude is a beast.
April 30th, 2024 at 1:34 pm
What position does he play? Does he play Diaby’s, JTS, or in Kancey or Hall’s position? I’m assuming that ultimately he will replace JTS. If so, we rush the QB less from that spot than from Diaby’s. So…. don’t expect the sacks to come like you want.
April 30th, 2024 at 1:43 pm
I respectfully disagree with SlyPirate and agree with 74 Bucs! I loved the Braswell pick. He was buried on the depth chart at Alabama. He is going to be a beast in the run game and as a pass rusher. His power explodes on tape. Have you seen the crushing hits he delivers? Scary dude!
April 30th, 2024 at 1:56 pm
The most important person who loves the pick is Jason Licht.
I’ll take Jason’s wisdom on a #2 pick over any of us couch sitting GMs.
Of course everyone has an opinion. The only liability I see for Braswell is being in a Bowels quantum physics soft off zone defense where no one knows the coverages, but at lease no one knows the pass rush schemes either.
And fortunately most of the blitz packages are telegraphed as opposing OC’s pick up on the tells. It’s great that Bowels doesn’t adjust when they can read his genius blitzes.
Go Bucs
April 30th, 2024 at 2:22 pm
You should never expect much from a rookie DT or edge rusher – and if you do get anything you should be quite happy. Basically you just want to see some flashes – and anything else is a bonus.
With that said, in terms of watching some more tape of Braswell, I will say he sort of plays like Shaq. I’m not comparing the two, just saying watching the way they move and react, it just reminds me of Shaq.
As far as the scouting report goes, the thing that makes me wary of the pick, is that in the 2nd round, you generally still get some twitchy players with some top end skills or athletic traits, and Braswell not having those, it makes me a bit leery. But I also don’t watch college ball, only go by what others say, so my opinion doesn’t mean much.
April 30th, 2024 at 3:14 pm
“So Joe expects little from Braswell this season“ – translation: Braswell will probably be as good as JTS.
April 30th, 2024 at 4:16 pm
Can’t do much worse than JTS. He’s pretty bad in the run game.
April 30th, 2024 at 5:23 pm
The most concerning thing for Braswell IMO is… who is he gonna learn from, player-wise?
We don’t have any veteran OLBs anymore. Sure would have been nice to still have Shaq in that room, giving the rookie tips and techniques, etc.
April 30th, 2024 at 6:17 pm
Gotta ask again.. Anyone else’s autocorrect keep changing “Braswell” to “Bra swell”?? Bc if Bucs fans come to Love the Braswell pick HALF as much as we Love “Bra swell” THIS will go down as the most popular player in team HISTORY!!
April 30th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
Wait JUST a SECOND!! Did SlyPirate just call “Bra swell” most like to “bust”..??! Bc of him or YOU?
April 30th, 2024 at 8:47 pm
Don’t want to write about practice squad guys but want to crown guys who never played a down. Things that make you go hmmm
April 30th, 2024 at 9:10 pm
Dave Pear and another Bowels slight.
How original????
May 1st, 2024 at 1:50 am
I really do enjoy Joe’s choice of pictures.
Keep this one in the rotation.
May 1st, 2024 at 9:31 am
Cmon C-Brass