Bradyn Swinson NFL Draft 2025 Scouting Report for New England Patriots Edge

The New England Patriots selected LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson with the No. 146 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

"Solid" is a word that kept coming up while watching Bradyn Swinson’s tape and writing his scouting report. He should enter the NFL as a decent pass-rusher and has a chance to develop into a complete player by growing as a run defender.

Swinson has a handful of ways he can win as a pass-rusher. He’s shown active hands with solid cross-chop and hand-swipe moves, the ability to occasionally turn speed to power and a good motor to make some coverage sacks. 
His bend is average to come flat down the line to the quarterback, but he does show some hip and ankle tightness when trying to make more than 90-degree turns when cornering.

Bradyn Swinson Highlights

00:53

Against the run, the LSU product uses his hands and longer arms well to help get extension and has no issues taking on and defeating blocks from tight ends. However, he could afford to add some size and strength to be more consistent against offensive tackles. Luckily, he has room for growth on his frame.

Additionally, Swinson plays very upright and might benefit from playing in a three-point stance more frequently in the NFL. That could make him a better fit as a hand-in-the-ground defensive end in even fronts as opposed to the standup linebacker position he played in college. 

Overall, he can be a decent rusher who has the potential to develop into a solid starter in the NFL.

MEASUREMENT AND WORKOUT RESULTS

HEIGHT: 6'4"

WEIGHT: 255

HAND: 9⅞”   

ARM: 33⅜” 

WINGSPAN: 81¼”

3-CONE: 7.13

SHUTTLE: 4.33

POSITIVES

— Solid size and frame with room for growth if needed; also has solid arm length.

— Has active hands as a pass-rusher and is decent at working the offensive lineman’s hands. Solid cross-chop and double-hand swipe moves that he can win with.

— Solid at turning speed to power when rushing the passer.

— Has decent bend to make 90-degree turns at the top of rush and get pressure on the quarterback.

— Good pass-rush motor to get coverage sacks.

— Uses his hands and arms well to get extension as a run defender against offensive tackles. Has enough strength to consistently take on blocks from tight ends.

— Consistently recognizes and gets under pullers as the spill player in run fits.

NEGATIVES

— Not explosive off the line to threaten offensive tackles with speed around the edge as a pass-rusher.

— Could afford to finish his pass-rush moves with a violent rip to get clean wins and keep tackles from hanging onto him.

— High cut and plays very upright, which can cause him issues against better competition against the run.

— Lean frame that will make it difficult to set the edge versus high competition and turns his shoulders when setting the edge.

— Isn’t strong and physical enough when taking on pullers to constrict rushing lanes as the force player in run fits.

— Isn’t a violent block shedder, leading to him getting stuck on blocks.

NOTES

— 3-star recruit in the 2020 class, per 247Sports

— Injuries: 2021 (Torn Meniscus, missed 3 games)

— Played at Oregon from 2020 to 2022 before transferring to LSU ahead of the 2023 season

— 2024 Second-Team All-SEC

GRADE: 6.7 (Potential Role Player — 4th Round)

OVERALL RANK: 138

POSITION RANK: EDGE17

PRO COMPARISON: Carl Granderson

Written by B/R NFL Scout Matt Holder