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2024 NFL Draft: 10 best available prospects for Detroit Lions on Day 2 (Alabama EDGE Chris Braswell: Another member of the Crimson Tide defense, Braswell played a hybrid spot in Nick Saban’s 3-4 defense that saw the linebacker line up in both two-point and three-point stances. In Detroit, Braswell could man the SAM linebacker spot, where the Lions have used the likes of Charles Harris, James Houston, and Jack Campbell last year. He still needs to put together more moves as part of his pass-rush plan, but if Detroit is serious about getting some edge pressure opposite of Hutchinson, Braswell might be the best fit of players on Day 2 who can also contribute in other phases.) (4-26-24): https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/4/26/24141355/2024-nfl-draft-10-best-available-prospects-for-detroit-lions-on-day-2
2024 NFL Draft EDGE rankings & analysis (6: Chris Braswell, Alabama: Braswell (6’033/251) was rated as a high four-star prospect and 39th overall player from the 2020 recruiting cycle according to 247Sports. He didn’t play as a freshman but was very productive in limited duty the following year, accruing 11 pressures and eight stops in just 114 reps while receiving Freshman All-American accolades. A two-time Bruce Feldman’s Freaks List-er Braswell transitioned to a full-time role in 2022 and thrived, chalking up 30 pressures, a 17% third-down pressure rate and an 81st percentile PFF pass rush grade in 330 snaps. The Baltimore native flourished this year, creating 56 pressures while almost doubling his sack rate from 1.8-to-3.3%. His 88th% pass rush grade charted as the seventh best grade in the Power Five among EDGE defenders, while Braswell also led the Tide with three forced fumbles. He excelled on the Combine track, running a 1.58s 10-yard split (97th%) and 4.6s 40-yard dash that ranked in the 96th percentile for a 251-pounder. While his jumps were both respectable, he opted to not perform any agility tests or bench which muddies his athletic profile a bit. A well-schooled student of the game, Braswell deftly converts speed-to-power and brandishes a rounded pass rush toolkit that includes a formidable longarm maneuver with educated hands to keep his pads clean. Fast enough to challenge tackles on the outside, but isn’t going to dislodge tackles with his bull rush without setting them up properly first. He can be a little sluggish getting out of his four-point stance and is lacking in prototypical size to be cast as a stout edge-setter. While Braswell is still developing and doesn’t have the sky-high upside of his Alabama contemporaries Dallas Turner and Will Anderson, he has the requisite tools to become a starting EDGE defender.) (4-14-24): https://www.nbcsports.com/college-football/news/2024-nfl-draft-edge-rankings-analysis
Fantasy Football: Analytical spotlight on the top 2024 rookie edge defenders (CHRIS BRASWELL, ALABAMA - No. 4 ranked EDGE on the PFF big board. 83rd percentile prospect profile among college EDGE prospects since 2016. Braswell is the other Alabama edge rusher expected to go in the first round of this year’s draft, posting slightly better pass rush metrics than teammate Dallas Turner, though he didn’t score quite as highly athletically or as a run defender. Expected draft capital also helps the case for Turner, as it accounts for things that the raw data can’t quantify, but when it comes to pure underlying pass-rush metrics, Braswell does have better numbers than Turner coming out. Braswell’s pressure rate, specifically, is among the 93rd percentile of prospects since 2016, and his quick pressure rate (2.5 seconds or less) is among the 66th percentile (10.1%), which often points to a player with great second effort and can win with power. Braswell’s career college analytics strengths: Rank among EDGE prospects since 2016 - Pressure rate 18.5% 93rd percentile. Pass-rush grade 90.3 76th percentile. A similar trend for a lot of the top edge defenders is lower scores in the run game, which is particularly true for Braswell. As much as he can win with power and utilize his bull rush as a pass-rusher, there are times when he’s unable to get off some of his blocks as a run defender and that ultimately shows in his run defense grades. With little starting experience, he also did not have as many opportunities to work on his run defense relative to his peers, sitting at just 370 run defense snaps for his career which is the third-lowest total among this year’s class. Braswell’s college analytics weaknesses: Rank among EDGE prospects since 2016 - Run defense grade 68.1 20th percentile. Best single-season run defense grade 67.2 7th percentile) (3-20-24):
https://www.pff.com/news/fantasy-football-analytical-spotlight-on-the-top-2024-rookie-edge-defenders
2024 NFL Draft edge rusher rankings: 4 potential stars lead our top 10 (7. Chris Braswell, Alabama — 6-3, 251, Senior - Overview: Yet another former five-star recruit for Alabama, Braswell bypassed offers from Clemson, Georgia and LSU (as well as his home-state Maryland Terrapins) to get in line in Tuscaloosa. Despite his pedigree, Braswell didn't get on the field as a true freshman and recorded a total of 33 tackles, including five for loss over the next two seasons before enjoying a breakout campaign of his own in 2023 opposite the more celebrated Turner. Braswell more than doubled his previous career highs as a senior, recording 42 stops overall, including 10.5 for loss and eight sacks, while leading Alabama with three forced fumbles. Strengths - Punches above his weight class, setting a firm edge in the running game and consistently pushing the pocket with a hard-charging bull rush. Has an explosive late burst to close, generating bone-rattling collisions. Complements his bull rush with a nice variety of chops, spins and skips to keep his opponent guessing. Good awareness off the ball with passionate effort in pursuit. Forced three fumbles in just 75 career tackles. Concerns - Not as explosive off the snap as his 4.6-second 40-yard dash time would suggest. Braswell, in fact, is almost sluggish off the snap in comparison to other top edge rushers in this class. Featured on twists and stunts to free him up and with opponents often focusing their blocking assignments elsewhere. Summary: Braswell lacks the burst scouts would prefer for a rusher of his size but he does many other things well. Overshadowed by all the talent in Tuscaloosa, I think Braswell's best football might still be ahead of him. Grade: Second-to-third round) (3-20-24):
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/2024-nfl-draft-edge-rusher-rankings-4-potential-stars-lead-our-top-10
2024 NFL Draft: Ranking every position group and how they could impact future decisions in free agency (8. Edge rusher - Signees in our top 100 free agents: 12. Even with 12 edge rushers signed in free agency from our top 100, there are still some sizable names on the market like Chase Young and Jadeveon Clowney. Of course, this is a marquee position, and money will always be lucrative for outside pass rushers. For as much as I initially liked this draft class, it lacks a quality second and third tier. We'll see Alabama's Dallas Turner, Florida State's Jared Verse, and likely Penn State's Chop Robinson -- along with UCLA's Laiatu Latu -- in the first round. And they all deserve to be first rounders. After that? There's slim-pickings on Day 2, although two smaller but explosive and refined perimeter rushers I like are UCLA's Gabriel Murphy and Colorado's Mo Kamara. Actually, Alabama's other defensive end, Chris Braswell, also brings it with tentacles for arms and surprising power. There are usually four or five more mid-to-late round rushers I'm in on. Not this year.) (3-15-24):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft/news/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-every-position-group-and-how-they-could-impact-future-decisions-in-free-agency/
Top EDGEs in the 2024 NFL Draft: Ranking Dallas Turner, Laiatu Latu, Jared Verse, and Others (7. Chris Braswell, Alabama: Turner has been the Crimson Tide’s premier EDGE prospect for the entirety of the 2024 NFL Draft cycle, but Chris Braswell has been on the rise since the summer months. At 6’3″ and 251 pounds, Braswell is an elite athlete, and he amassed eight sacks, 10.5 TFLs, and three forced fumbles in a breakout third-year campaign. At his size, Braswell is very natural playing as a stand-up EDGE, and he has an excellent power profile with his searing explosiveness, length, and frame density. He’s still developing beyond the power element, but his upside is immense.) (3-6-23):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-edges-nfl-draft-2024/
2024 NFL Draft: 7 things PFF analysts want to see at the NFL Scouting Combine (AUSTIN SCOTT: HOW MANY EDGE DEFENDERS CAN SNEAK INTO THE FIRST ROUND? The 2024 class of edge defender prospects still has a lot to get sorted out from top to bottom, and this week could go a long way in clarifying those final tiers and determining how many can sneak into the first round. Dallas Turner, Jared Verse and Laiatu Latu feel like a clear top three, and Latu may very well be the most technically sound edge rusher in the class, but there are concerns that average or poor athletic testing at the Combine may push him to the middle or bottom of the first round. Chris Braswell and Chop Robinson are a bit more raw from a technique standpoint but could get that bump into the top 25-30 prospects based on strong weigh-ins and interviews on top of what we assume will be impressive showings in explosiveness and agility drills.) (2-29-24):
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-7-things-pff-analysts-want-to-see-nfl-scouting-combine
NFL Combine preview: 10 edge rushers the Lions should watch (Chris Braswell, Alabama (6-foot-3, 257 pounds): Braswell—the other Alabama pass rusher—is a very balanced prospect and performs well both pass rushing and stopping the run. He’s not flashy athletically, but he has a tremendous motor and likes to be the aggressor. Braswell was a standup edge rusher in Alabama’s four-man front and could find a home early in Detroit as a dedicated SAM linebacker while pushing for more time in base formations.) (2-26-24):
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2024/2/26/24082612/2024-nfl-combine-preview-10-edge-rushers-detroit-lions-prospects
Senior Bowl Stock Up and Stock Down Day 3: Brenden Rice Backs Up His Legacy (Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama: Coming into Senior Bowl week, Chris Braswell’s speed-to-power element was widely known as one of his best qualities. But through 1-on-1s on Thursday, he showed he could not only win in other ways — with swims and swipes — but also that he could stay consistent as a second-effort rusher, winning later in the rep with high energy and effort.) (2-1-24):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/senior-bowl-stock-up-stock-down-day-3-draft-2024/
2024 Senior Bowl takeaways: Evaluating the talented crop of QBs in attendance; risers and fallers from Day 2 (Standouts - Ryan Wilson's Defensive Standout: Alabama edge Chris Braswell. "He might have had one of the highest motors in college football last year," Wilson said. "He might not have the ideal frame for a typical defensive end, but he plays with really heavy hands. He has a speed-to-power move that can collapse most offensive linemen. The only negative I have on him is he wasn't as consistent getting off blocks in the run game. As a pass-rusher, I saw him have impact pass rushes against Tennessee that turned the game around in the second half.") (1-31-24):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-senior-bowl-takeaways-evaluating-the-talented-crop-of-qbs-in-attendance-risers-and-fallers-from-day-2/
2024 Senior Bowl Day 1 standouts: WRs Ladd McConkey, Roman Wilson separating from pack (Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama: Braswell might send me back to the game tape, as it's possible I was a little low on him after my initial scouting report. While he still has some things to prove as a run defender, he was extremely physical at the point of attack in run drills against offensive linemen and ran Houston's Patrick Paul back into the pocket with a big bull rush early in the rush segment of practice. Alabama edge defenders are always well-schooled, but the aggression from Braswell really stood out.) (1-30-24)::
https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-senior-bowl-day-1-standouts-wrs-ladd-mcconkey-roman-wilson-separating-from-pack
2024 NFL Draft: 5 biggest storylines ahead of the Senior Bowl | NFL Draft
Detroit Lions prospects to watch at 2024 Senior Bowl (Chris Braswell, LB, Alabama: Much of the attention on Alabama's defense rightfully went to Dallas Turner, who will likely be among the first defenders selected in the draft. However, Braswell did his fair share of the work with 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks. Profiling as an outside linebacker, he fits what Detroit is looking for in terms of their SAM linebacker. He also has the ability to bend around the edge and contribute in the pass rush. His skill-set lends itself to allowing him to be a three-down player at the next level.) (1-29-24):
https://www.si.com/nfl/lions/news/senior-bowl-prospects-interest-lions
Top EDGE Prospects at the 2024 Senior Bowl: Laiatu Latu, Chris Braswell Lead the Pack (2. Chris Braswell, Alabama: Other players on Alabama’s defense are being spoken about more than Chris Braswell, such as CB Terrion Arnold and fellow edge rusher Dallas Turner, who are both expected to be drafted early. However, don’t let Braswell’s lack of exposure lure you in. With eight sacks in his senior season, Braswell was able to turn it on in 2023. At 6’3” and 255 pounds, he has the frame to hold up in the NFL while having the requisite arm length. Braswell is a powerful but explosive pass rusher who has great technique, especially with his hand usage. His hands are powerful when he gets a shot on his opponent. Braswell also has the reflexes and speed to swipe counters away. While being explosive, Braswell isn’t a flexible athlete. He lacks the ankle flexion to bend around the edge. It leads him to prefer to win on the inside rather than attacking the outside shoulder. However, at this year’s Senior Bowl, Braswell has the opportunity to put himself in the conversation for an early Day 2 pick, with the potential of even making it to the late first round.): (1-29-24):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/top-edge-prospects-senior-bowl-draft-2024/
2024 Senior Bowl Preview: Defensive Line (Top Prospects - Chris Braswell: Dallas Turner gets all the hype, and deservedly so, but Braswell is a standout prospect in his own right. He’s undersized at 252 pounds, so all schemes may not be for him. A team like Baltimore or San Francisco could take him and let him cause havoc while he develops. He has good athleticism for the position and has been coached up in fundamentals like most Bama defenders are. A stout defender at the point of attack in the run game, he doesn’t give up much, even against bigger blockers. He is an explosive pass rusher who can vary his athleticism and power to throw off pass blockers. It was a productive 2023 that saw him more than double his numbers across the board with 42 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, and eight sacks. He can go as high as the second or third round with any luck next week.) (1-27-24):
https://nfldraftdiamonds.com/2024/01/2024-senior-bowl-preview-defensive-line/
Senior Bowl 2024 EDGE Primer: What You Need To Know (Justin Eboigbe & Chris Braswell, Alabama: Physical, athletic, well-coached, the usuals when it comes to edge players from Tuscaloosa. For both Eboigbe and Braswell, their stocks could rise immensely with a good week. Eboigbe is a more power-laden rusher while Braswell tends to modify his looks as a bit of a hybrid speed and power threat.) (1-25-24):
https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2024/01/25/senior-bowl-2024-edge
2024 NFL Draft Position Rankings: Edge defenders (4. EDGE CHRIS BRASWELL, ALABAMA
BIG BOARD RANK: 24. Braswell has the size, speed and strength combination to be a future NFL edge rusher. It's taken some growth for him to become more of a stand-up rusher than a defensive end, as Alabama has wanted. But now that he has got there, his explosiveness and power are on display each week.) (1-16-24):
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-position-rankings-edge-defenders
2024 NFL Draft prospects who can improve stock in CFP (Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama: Dallas Turner will likely be a top-10 pick, and rightly so, but do not sleep on his teammate, and edge-rushing bookend, Chris Braswell. Will Anderson Jr., who has balling out for the Texans in his rookie season, talked up both players when we had him on the "With the First Pick" podcast back in November. Good luck finding a player with a higher motor than Braswell, who refuses to be blocked by tight ends, has the juice and power to regularly split double teams, and shows the twitch to win in 1-on-1 pass-rush situations against SEC tackles. And Braswell isn't a one-trick pony who relies on just a speed rush; the bull rush is his bread and butter, and it requires the offensive lineman at the business end of it to re-anchor throughout the rep. Then there are his hands, which is another element of his pass-rush arsenal that makes him so difficult to prepare for. Don't be surprised that, as we get through these playoffs and into the pre-draft process, if Braswell doesn't find himself as an early Day 2 selection.) (1-1-24):
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2024-nfl-draft-prospects-who-can-improve-their-draft-stock-with-big-college-football-playoff-performances/
Rose Bowl Prospect Preview: J.J. McCarthy Looms Large, Dallas Turner and Terrion Arnold Bolster Alabama Defense (Chris Braswell, EDGE: Opposite Turner, Chris Braswell was quietly just as impactful in 2023, accumulating eight sacks and 10.5 TFLs. Braswell isn’t nearly as flexible as Turner, but at 6’3″, 255 pounds, he has quantifiably elite burst and power capacity with his proportional length, and his speed-to-power profile will earn him fans in the early rounds.) (1-1-24):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/rose-bowl-prospect-preview-draft-2023/
2024 NFL Draft: Ranking the top 15 Senior Bowl prospects to watch in the College Football Playoff (5. Chris Braswell, Edge, Alabama (6-3, 255): Braswell waited for his turn to star for the Tide, starting across from All-American Dallas Turner in his fourth year on campus. The stud edge rusher only trails Turner on the team with eight sacks, bringing powerful hands and a strong long-arm move, routinely sling-shotting by leaning blockers or ripping past OTs to get the corner. He's disciplined in maintaining the edge against mobile quarterbacks and the run game and willing to take on short-zone coverage duties. A big playoff performance by Braswell, winning against top tackles and disengaging from blocks to chase down plays in the open field, can push him up draft boards.) (12-29-23):
https://www.nfl.com/news/2024-nfl-draft-ranking-the-top-15-senior-bowl-prospects-to-watch-in-the-college-
Georgia vs. Alabama Preview: Draft Prospects To Watch Include Carson Beck, Dallas Turner, and Terrion Arnold (Chris Braswell, EDGE: The Alabama defensive front began the season with one highly regarded draft prospect and finished the season with a second. Braswell doesn’t possess the flexibility, size, or power necessary to be a consistent difference-maker as a pass rusher, but he’s grown significantly in his plan, and his explosiveness will allow him to win intermittently. Players with Braswell’s intense play style will always find a role at the next level. He plays with his pants on fire but with enough control to stay within his skis.) (12-2-23):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/georgia-alabama-preview-draft-prospects-to-watch-draft-2023/
All-NFL Draft Team for college football's championship week (Stand-up Pass Rusher: Chris Braswell, Alabama, No. 41, 6-3, 255, SR. With all due respect to the Alabama offense, the reason why Saban's latest squad might return to the CFP this year is due to its defense, which features a three-headed monster in Braswell, defensive lineman Justin Eboigbe and fellow edge rusher Dallas Turner. With "just" 20 tackles, including four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks a year ago, Braswell deserves special recognition this season as Alabama's breakout defender, tying Turner for the team lead with eight sacks and leading the Tide with three forced fumbles. Eboigbe and Turner may very well earn higher draft picks this spring, but scouts are intrigued by Braswell's agility and closing speed off the edge.) (11-30-23):
https://www.foxsports.com/stories/college-football/all-nfl-draft-team-for-college-football-championship-week
Top 9 2024 NFL Draft prospects, risers, and sliders after Week 13: Alabama's Braswell, Huskies' Odunze climb; Auburn CB tanks post Iron Bowl choke (2. Chris Braswell (Edge - Alabama): Braswell, who is a redshirt junior, was on a lot of watchlists in the scouting community entering the season. Known as a freak athlete with great testing numbers, Braswell was more athlete than a football player with a combined 34 tackles and three sacks during his freshman and sophomore campaigns, yet he is now transitioning his great physical ability into football production and his game has taken off this season.He ends the 2024 regular season with 40 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, and eight sacks. Braswell was all over the field during the victory over Auburn, which kept Alabama’s playoff hopes alive and forced the action with his ability to penetrate the line of scrimmage. Braswell is far from a finished product, yet he offers tremendous upside potential, and his game is headed in the right direction.) (11-28-23):
https://www.sportskeeda.com/college-football/news-top-9-2024-nfl-draft-prospects-risers-sliders-week-13-alabama-s-braswell-huskies-odunze-climb-auburn-cb-tanks-post-iron-bowl-choke
2024 NFL Draft: Notable risers and fallers on the PFF big board (EDGE CHRIS BRASWELL, ALABAMA - Previous Rank: 49. Latest Rank: 42. Big board analysis: Braswell has the size, speed and strength combination to be a future NFL edge rusher. It's taken some growth for him to become more of a stand-up rusher than a defensive end, as Alabama has wanted. But now that he has got there, his explosiveness and power are on display each week.) (11-21-23):
https://www.pff.com/news/draft-2024-nfl-draft-risers-and-fallers-on-the-pff-big-board
Detroit Lions 2024 draft watch: 8 players to watch, including Alabama’s Chris Braswell (Chris Braswell, EDGE/SAM, Alabama (Senior) - 6-foot-3 1⁄2 , 252 pounds. An excerpt from The Athletic’s Dane Brugler’s mid-season Top-50 ($): “If you watch the Alabama front seven to see Dallas Turner, Braswell (9.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles) inevitably will jump off the screen. There is some tightness when he turns the corner, but Braswell is able to slam his hands into blockers, convert his speed to power and collapse the pocket in different ways. “High-energy force players like Braswell usually find sustainable roles in the NFL.” How he’d fit with the Lions: Braswell is Alabama’s standup “JACK” pass rushing linebacker, and while he spends the majority of his time in the box, he does have 37 coverage snaps this season—just over 10% of his total usage, per PFF. He’d be a quality option for the Lions' “SAM” linebacker role, which has become more prevalent this season. There are still some parts of Braswell’s game that need polish—2023 is his only season as a starter—which could cause him to slide into the Lions' projected draft range, but he is loaded with first-round size, athleticism, and potential.) (11-4-23):
https://www.prideofdetroit.com/2023/11/4/23943743/detroit-lions-2024-draft-watch-8-prospects-alabama-chris-braswell
2024 NFL Draft Stock – Week 8 (Up - Chris Braswell, OLB, Alabama: Braswell has been known to be a freak athlete with a rare combination of size, speed and athleticism. He is expected to generate amazing testing numbers. His skill set has been translating to plays on the field this season, and he has been a dangerous edge rusher for the Crimson Tide. Braswell came through with a couple of impactful plays to help Alabama pull off its comeback win against Tennessee. Against the Volunteers, he had a strip-sack that resulted in a fumble returned for a touchdown. He also put up four tackles and another sack. Braswell is a fast edge rusher with a ton of upside to develop. He could be a riser throughout the 2024 NFL Draft process.) (10-23-23):
https://walterfootball.com/draft2024stock_08.php
Week 8 College Football Team of the Week: Ollie Gordon II, Bucky Irving are Superstars (EDGE: Chris Braswell, Alabama - Finishing off Tennessee once and for all, it was Chris Braswell’s strip-sack in the fourth quarter that pushed the Crimson Tide’s lead to 14 points after ‘Bama rattled off 27 consecutive points. Braswell ripped through the Tennessee offensive line almost at will as the game went along and he finished with two sacks, four total tackles, and a forced fumble. He was constantly in the backfield and a threat against both the run and the pass.) (10-22-23):
https://collegefootballnetwork.com/week-8-college-football-team-of-the-week-2023/
2024 Senior Bowl CFB Week 2 Preview: Why Scouts Are Watching Colorado, Notre Dame, and Oklahoma (For Alabama, they will need to slow down the passing threat of Texas. Dallas Turner is the obvious threat, but Senior Bowl scouts will watch Chris Braswell. Braswell is an athletic pass rusher who is projected to have a bigger role in 2023 and already registered a sack in week 1. Head coach Nick Saban is also expecting big things from Braswell, saying, “he’s gotten bigger and stronger; he’s a good pass rusher, so we expect him to do well this season.”) (9-8-23):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2024-senior-bowl-cfb-week-2-preview-draft/
2024 Shrine Bowl Week 2 CFB Preview: All Eyes on Texas vs. Alabama, Texas Tech vs. Oregon, and Miami vs. Texas A&M (The Tide don’t have much seniority to rely upon, which isn’t abnormal for a program that churns out NFL prospects. Their best senior is likely edge rusher Chris Braswell, who will often see Texas senior right tackle Christian Jones. Both are fringe-draftable players, so that will be an intriguing battle.) (9-7-23):
https://www.profootballnetwork.com/2024-shrine-bowl-week-2-cfb-draft/
