Pros and cons of Buccaneers picking Alabama football’s Chris Braswell in 2024 NFL Draft
Chris Braswell is officially an NFL rookie after being picked by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2024 NFL draft.
Braswell turned his one season as a starter with Alabama football on the edge into a spot in the draft. In his lone season as a starter in Tuscaloosa, the Baltimore, Maryland, native earned second-team All-SEC honors. He played for Saint Frances Academy in high school and heads to the pros after four seasons playing for Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide.
Here's what Braswell brings to the Buccaneers, based on his career with Alabama football.
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What Chris Braswell brings to Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2024 NFL Draft
Braswell has next-level athleticism that can make him difficult to block at times. He can be a disruptive player, as evidenced by his sacks and forced fumbles. But he doesn’t have a significant amount of starting experience. He waited his turn to finally get a chance to start in his fourth season after serving in a reserve role in 2022 and 2021. He didn’t play during the 2020 season. Once Will Anderson Jr. departed for the NFL, Braswell earned the starting job opposite Dallas Turner.
Chris Braswell highlights, strengths, weaknesses at Alabama football
His most prominent play this past season occurred when Braswell sacked Joe Milton and forced a fumble late against Tennessee, and Alabama scored. Outside of sacks and pressures, one of Braswell’s top highlights was against Mississippi State when he picked off a pass and returned it for a score. He made another big play, but on special teams, against Texas A&M, blocking a field goal. Special teams highlights occurred on multiple occasions for Braswell over his time at Alabama; He also blocked a punt against Mercer in 2021.
Braswell has the tools to be a powerful and athletic edge defender, but he will need to continue to develop his pass-rushing moves as he gains more experience. Outside of his defense ability, Braswell has shown an aptitude for special teams.
Chris Braswell stats with Alabama football
2023: 42 tackles, 8 sacks, 3 FF, 1 INT, 1 TD, 1 PD; 2022: 21 tackles, 3 sacks, 1 FF; 2021: 13 tackles
Nick Kelly is the Alabama beat writer for The Tuscaloosa News, part of the USA TODAY Network, and he covers Alabama football and men's basketball. Reach him at nkelly@gannett.com or follow him @_NickKelly on X, the social media app formerly known as Twitter.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Buccaneers draft Chris Braswell in 2024 NFL Draft: Pros, cons of pick
