New Orleans Saints rookie DT Bryan Bresee has already received some early postseason recognition for his first year achievements. Former NFL general manager Rick Spielman and CBS draft analyst Ryan Wilson both named Bresee to their 2023 All-Rookie team on the With the First Pick Podcast on CBSSports.com this week. Bresee joined Philadelphia Eagles DT Jalen Carter, the ninth overall choice, on the CBS All-Rookie squad.
The 29th overall selection, Bresee was the fourth interior defensive lineman chosen. He had nine sacks and 15 tackles for loss in three collegiate seasons at Clemson. This was despite an ACL injury in 2021 that limited him to just four games. He also had shoulder surgery and dealt with the tragic loss of his sister prior to the 2022 season.
Bresee made an immediate impact with New Orleans, something he was able to sustain throughout his inaugural season. He's appeared in all 16 games for a defense that ranks sixth in points against and 13th in total yardage allowed.
Bresee has 4.5 sacks, with two more disallowed by penalty this season. He's also added nine QB hits, seven tackles for loss, and 13 pressures for the Saints. Bresee has also tipped or batted down six passes and has improved greatly as a run defender.
The Saints did not have a first round pick heading into last offseason. They were able to pick one up when they traded the rights to former coach Sean Payton to the Denver Broncos. It was used on Bresee, who had been projected to go as high as the middle of the first round.
The 6'5" and 305-Lb. Bresee has a terrific combination of power and athletic ability. He also plays with a non-stop motor, allowing him to make a lot of plays on second effort. He's shown a wider array of pass rush moves during the course of the season, further raising the bar of his tremendous potential.
Bryan Bresee has the look of a potential star. He's created consistent disruption for the New Orleans defense all season and greatly improved what had been an underachieving defensive interior over the previous two seasons. It's likely just the beginning of even bigger things to come for Bresee.
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