Hey, this is good to see: at least one national outlet was impressed by the New Orleans Saints’ decision to pick Bryan Bresee in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. Touchdown Wire’s Doug Farrar issued an ‘A’ grade for the move to select the big-time Clemson Tigers defensive tackle, writing of the pick:
Saints head coach Dennis Allen saw his defense lose some valued defensive linemen in free agency, so Bresee is a smart pick here, as long as he can transcend a slightly worrisome injury history. As Allen tends to prefer, Bresee can play all over the line, and he is a disruptor above all, with a knack for the kinds of quick pressure that is job one in the NFL these days.
Farrar also observed that Bresee posted the third-highest pressure rate among draft-eligible defensive linemen last season (12%), trailing a couple of other first-round picks in Jalen Carter (No. 9 to the Philadelphia Eagles) and Calijah Kancey (No. 19 to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers). And he could improve on that number even after making the jump to the NFL.
In highlighting one matchup with first-round offensive tackle Darnell Wright (picked at No. 10 by the Chicago Bears), Farrar pointed out the lack of refinement in Bresee’s hands and pass-rush plan, as well as room for development in his upper-body strength. If he can stay healthy and absorb practice reps to develop those weaknesses in his game, he could be a very dangerous weapon for the Saints up front. For now, there’s a lot to like in this move.
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