If the Raiders decide to pass on a quarterback in Round 1, you can fully expect them to address their defense. They finished the year as the No. 26 ranked defense, allowing nearly 25 points per game.
One spot where the Raiders have to improve is across the interior defensive line. They have two superstar EDGE rushers in Maxx Crosby and Chandler Jones, but they’ve got to find a pass-rushing presence in the middle.
In a recent mock draft done by the Bleacher Report staff, they had the Raiders selecting Bryan Bresee of Clemson at No. 7. Bresee is an interior rusher with gobs of athleticism and natural talent. Here is a snippet of what the site had to say about Bresee entering the NFL:
“Purely from a talent perspective, Bresee is as gifted as any prospect in the class. Yes, the majority of his reps come from working along the interior. But film can be found of him lining up at defensive end and beating offensive tackles, too.
Granted, the difficulty level among the professional ranks increases significantly. Yet the defensive lineman’s ability to do so against good collegiate opposition provides a glimpse of the damage he can inflict for a defense.”
While Bresee has rare size and athleticism, he wasn’t a big producer in college. In three seasons at Clemson, he totaled just 15 tackles for a loss and nine sacks. However, the hope is that he would continue to develop in the NFL.
If the Raiders are looking to get bigger and more athletic on the defensive line, Bresee could be an option at No. 7. Don’t expect him to stay on the board very long during the 2023 NFL Draft.
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