Rookie Profile: Chris Braswell, Edge, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Chris Braswell, an edge rusher out of Alabama. He is from Baltimore, MD, and was a 4-star recruit out of St. Frances Academy High School.
He started his freshman season in 2021 with Alabama with minimal production. In 14 games, he recorded 7 solo tackles, 6 assists, and 1 tackle for loss.
The 2022 season was slightly more productive for him as a junior, but not by much. He appeared in 13 games, recording 8 solo tackles, 12 assists, 20 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble.
His best season came in 2023 as a senior where in 14 games, he totaled 16 solo tackles, 26 assists, 10.5 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 1 interception, 1 touchdown, 1 pass defended, and 3 forced fumbles.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 2 Pick 25
- Braswell slipped into the second round despite being in the top tier of edge rushers in this class. This was due to a lengthy run on offensive players and a stacked class of defensive linemen. Even after a fall to the back half of the second round, this is still a solid indication of his talent level. Braswell is going to have to fight and claw his way onto the field, but if he manages to carve out a significant role he should produce at a solid level.
Landing Spot- Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- The Buccaneers are a crowded landing spot, yet a promising one. The majority of the defenders on this roster are on the wrong side of the age apex and that alone could present him with a chance to crack the lineup.
- From the onset of his career, he will have a chance to learn behind some of the league’s best veterans. As a result of the depth of this defensive unit, his fantasy value may be more of a wait-and-see approach.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Rotational Edge Rusher
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Braswell has an explosive first step and pursuit speed making him a formidable presence on the field. With a lightning-fast 4.6 speed, he can scream off the edge.
There are some challenges. Despite his strengths, Braswell lacks length, with 33.25-inch arms at 6-foot-3 and 251 pounds. This might pose difficulties against bigger and more powerful offensive tackles in the NFL. Nevertheless, his bendy and quick style, honed through college coaching, allows him to find the ball and make impactful plays in the backfield
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
