You can never have too many pass rushers. This has been a mantra for Green Bay Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst, and this year’s draft is another opportunity to keep adding to the defensive end position.
Even though the Packers extended Rashan Gary and expect a growth from Lukas Van Ness in Year 3, putting more resources at the position is not out of the equation. And with that in mind, the team formally met with LSU edge defender Bradyn Swinson at the NFL Combine, according to A to Z Sports’ College Football Managing Editor Travis May.
Draft stock
Bradyn Swinson isn’t considered to be a top prospect. According to the NFL Mock Draft Database’s consensus big board, he is the 93rd-ranked prospect in this class and the 16th-ranked edge rusher in the group.
But his traits and his production are both impressive. He is 250lbs, which is slightly less than the Packers tend to prefer. At the same time, Jeff Hafley’s defense lacked a bendier and lighter edge rusher last season, and that’s why Brenton Cox Jr. (who is also 6-4, 250lbs) was so efficient when he had the opportunity to play.
In 2024, his fifth college season (and second at LSU), Swinson had 8.5 sacks, eight hits, and 43 hurries, totalling 60 pressures. According to PFF, he had a 91.4 pass rush grade on true pass set plays and a 22.1% pass rush win rate, both elite among the classmates.
Why he isn’t a top prospect
If you evaluate his traits and production, it’s easy to project Swinson as a late first- or early second-round prospect. But he is 22 and didn’t break out until his fifth college season. And even though he is a solid run defender, he misses some tackles in pursuit.
But if the Packers are able to grab him at the end of the second round or even in the third, that would be a great value. More importantly, it would give them edge depth and ceiling, while the first-round pick would have been used to select a cornerback, an offensive lineman, or even a defensive tackle—Gutekunst stressed during his Combine media availability how strong this class is for both lines.
Bradyn Swinson is a notable project, and the Packers like this type of challenge. He would be a smart bet on Day 2, giving them what they need at the position for the short- and long-term.
