Alabama edge defender Chris Braswell has been selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, going with the No. 57 overall pick.
Braswell was a monster off the edge for Alabama for the last two seasons, in an era when elite pass-rushers were a regular occurrence for the Crimson Tide.
He did his best work in 2023, when Braswell finished with 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for a loss, 8.0 sacks, an interception, three forced fumbles, two passes defended and a blocked kick. That’s stuffing the stat sheet for an edge defender.
In total in three playing years, Braswell recorded 76 tackles, 16.0 tackles for a loss, 11.0 sacks, an interception, four forced fumbles, two passes defended and two blocked kicks.
Braswell earned second-team All-SEC honors following the 2023 season.
Size will also be to Braswell’s advantage at the NFL level. He checks in at 6 foot 3, 255 pounds.
What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Chris Braswell
The book on Braswell is that he’s a talented pass-rusher who took a little while to really come on for the Crimson Tide, not really emerging until his third season in the program.
But the tape is quality.
Braswell shows a good ability to impact the game off the edge, and if there are question marks they are about how much he can add to his repertoire.
Writes NFL Network analyst Lance Zierlein in evaluating Chris Braswell:
“Edge defender with good size and length but limited playing time over his four years at Alabama. Braswell chose to stick it out at Alabama rather than transferring and was rewarded with a productive final campaign. He doesn’t play with great technique or anchor as an edge-setter and is average in taking on in-line tight ends at the point of attack.
“As a pass rusher, he gets off the ball with good burst and uses a variety of moves, speeds and angles to create opportunities but needs to add counters to his approach. Braswell might have a ceiling as a good 3-4 backup or average designated pass rusher with core special teams value.”
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