Former Alabama defensive end Chris Braswell is not expected to be a first-round selection, but he is a proven contributor on the defensive front. His value to a team will be felt immediately and he will be a steal outside of the first night of the 2024 NFL draft.
ESPN NFL draft experts recently put together post-first-round targets (subscription required) for all 32 NFL teams. Matt Miller paired Braswell with the Chicago Bears.
“Let’s imagine that the Bears solve issues at quarterback and wide receiver in Round 1,” writes Miller. “If GM Ryan Poles can add the powerful pass-rushing of Braswell to play opposite Sweat, the Bears could contend in 2024. Braswell had eight sacks, 42 pressures and three forced fumbles last season.”
When thinking about the Bears and the upcoming NFL draft, many would correctly assume that the focus is on the quarterback position. While that is certainly the case, Chicago must also consider what to do with the picks they hold after the first round.
Braswell would be a strong second-round selection and as Miller states, adding him to the already-strong defensive line could turn the franchise into a contender for the NFC North, a division that currently has the Detroit Lions as the top team.
Roll Tide Wire will continue to follow former Alabama players preparing for the NFL draft as the offseason progresses.
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