Bucs draft Chris Braswell in 2nd

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Alabama edge rusher Chris Braswell in the second round of the 2024 NFL Draft, No. 57 overall.

Pass-rusher was near the top of Tampa Bay's biggest need. The Bucs released longtime veteran Shaq Barrett and signed Randy Gregory to a one-year deal this offseason.

Yaya Diaby also seems to be a building block after a breakout rookie campaign, but 2021 first-rounder Joe Tryon-Shoyinka has yet to prove he's worthy of being a long-term piece in Tampa.

Braswell had eight sacks, 26 total tackles, and three forced fumbles in his final season with Alabama in 2023.

Pre-draft profile

Braswell's physical profile suggests Nick Saban used a cloning machine on Will Anderson Jr., last year's No. 3 overall pick. However, his pass-rush repertoire and anchor need some work to get to the level of his former teammate. His ability to set the edge against all kinds of blocks also needs to improve so he can earn playing time on earlier downs, though his explosive get-off gives him a good base to build upon. He attacks tackles with several go-to strategies, particularly dip-and-rip moves, but he's often too upright and doesn't have counters to keep himself clean. Braswell has good length and acceleration to chase down ball carriers when he does get free. If he develops a set of counter moves and improves his anchor, he can become a consistent starter.