Bucs find their edge rusher in 2nd round in Alabama’s Chris Braswell
TAMPA — When Alabama outside linebacker Chris Braswell played against USF last season at Raymond James Stadium, he couldn’t help but notice the iconic pirate ship in the north end zone.
“It was great. I liked the boat,” Braswell said, smiling. “The pirate ship back there, that was kind of cool. I’ve never seen that in any other stadium.”
The impressive thing about Braswell is that despite having to play behind some great edge rushers at Alabama, such as Will Anderson Jr. and Dallas Turner the past two seasons, he never jumped ship.
Braswell waited his turn, and despite only starting two games for the Crimson Tide last year, he put together an impactful season that was worthy of the Bucs selecting him Friday in the second round of the NFL draft, 57th overall.
The 6-foot-3, 251-pound Braswell, who was a redshirt junior last season, played in all 14 games. He had 42 tackles, 10½ tackles for loss, eight sacks, three forced three fumbles and an interception return for a touchdown. He also blocked a kick. More impressively, his 56 quarterback pressures led the SEC.
Western Michigan edge rusher Marshawn Kneeland went one pick earlier to the Dallas Cowboys. Kneeland, who made a visit to Tampa Bay, certainly was a player the Bucs could have used.
Tampa Bay in March decided to release veteran outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett after five seasons. Barrett, who had 19½ sacks in 2019 but other 25½ over the next four seasons combined, signed with the Miami Dolphins.
While rookie Yaya Diaby had a breakout rookie season with 7½ sacks and Joe Tryon-Shoyinka returns for his fourth season, the Bucs believe they got the best remaining edge rusher in the draft Friday.
NFL Network draft analyst Daniel Jeremiah had high praise for Braswell.
“To me, he’s the best available edge rusher that was still on the board,” Jeremiah said. “First-step quickness, someone who could’ve transferred with all the talent they had there at Alabama. He was patient. Waited his turn. ... At the point of attack, he plays very physical. The effort is outstanding. You don’t get on the field at Alabama unless you play extremely hard.”
Braswell, who watched the draft at his father’s business in Baltimore, said he prides himself on having a balanced game where he can rush, play the run and drop in coverage.
“I love to take pride in my pass rush game, I love to get after the quarterback,” he said. “But overall, I’m a balanced player. I can play the run, rush the passer and drop into coverage and do a lot of things. So, I hope I can bring that to the Bucs.”
Certainly his first game at Raymond James went well: seven tackles, three tackles for loss, one sack (on the final play of the game) and one pass breakup in Alabama’s 17-3 win over USF.
His approach in the NFL won’t vary much from what he did at Alabama, Braswell said.
“For me, it’s always remaining patient, working hard and keeping my head down,” Braswell said. “It’s one of the philosophies that I live by. Fighting through adversity, I believe that doesn’t affect me. I’m a really hard worker, so I just like to keep my head down and keep working hard and just take advantage of any opportunity that’s given to me.”
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