The Tampa Bay Buccaneers spent their offseason revamping their defensive line. The goal was to improve their pass rush. At this point, it looks like that mission was accomplished.
Not only did they sign free agent Al-Quadin Muhammad (who had 11.0 sacks last season), but they also drafted Rueben Bain, who many believed was the best edge rusher in the draft. Add in David Walker, who missed his entire rookie season last year, and all of a sudden the edge room is looking pretty deep.
This means that players who were part of the edge rotation last year will likely be on the outside looking in this year. Specifically the Bucs 2024 second round pick Chris Braswell. In two seasons with the team, Braswell has greatly underwhelmed and failed to make any sort of positive impression.
With that said, it’s hard to totally give up on a second round pick. A player went to a major college football program at Alabama. Someone who has physical tools to work with as well as the right pedigree.
There is a chance that another team might be interested in trading for Braswell. Afterall, a fresh start can sometimes revitalize a player’s career. And even though the Bucs wouldn’t get anywhere near the value of the second round pick they spent on him, anything is better than nothing for a player who probably won’t make the roster anyways.
With that in mind, here are three teams who could trade for Chris Braswell.
Minnesota Vikings
The Vikings run a similar defensive system to the Buccaneers, so Braswell could fit the prototype of what they are looking for. And while their top two edge rushers are well established, they don’t have a ton to speak of in terms of depth after trading away Jonathan Greenard. Now everyone behind him has moved up the depth chart which thins out the room overall.
This is a low risk bet on potential depth. On top of that, Minnesota has additional insight on Braswell with his college teammate Dallas Turner already set as one of their starting edge rushers. This rotation worked in college and there is reason to hope that it can in the NFL as well.
New England Patriots
Sometimes it takes the right coach and locker room to bring the best out of a player. Last year, it could be argued that the best in both areas was the New England Patriots. Their run to the Super Bowl with defensive head coach Mike Vrabel was as impressive as it was unexpected.
Stylistically, Vrabel and Todd Bowles are different types of coaches, even though they are both great defensive minds. Perhaps a different type of voice can reach Braswell in a way that Bowles could not.
Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons lost outside linebacker Jalon Walker (their top pick in last year’s draft) to a season ending injury in training camp. They will also be without their other first round pass rusher James Pearce for half the season due to a suspension from the league. That’s two major pieces to lose before the second preseason game.
Adding Braswell makes sense for a team who is suddenly in need of edge help. On top of that, he wouldn’t be a long term block for either of those two guys returning. Braswell makes for a short term bandage that still has some upside worth betting on.
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