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New York Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Lingering questions for the Patriots looking ahead to minicamp and OTAs
A month before the NFL Draft, coach Mike Vrabel sarcastically mocked the praise he and his New England Patriots had gotten for 'winning' March with their free-agency splurge. So it's not hard to imagine how he'd react to the near-universal love the Patriots have gotten for their draft class, earning high marks from pundits across the internet. He knows success in the offseason is irrelevant if wins don't follow in the fall. Now, though, Vrabel can get to work. Organized team activities begin May 19. Minicamp is in June. That sets the table for the start of training camp in late July. Still, even if free agency and the draft went well for the Pats, plenty of questions linger. How could they not after back-to-back 4-13 seasons? So with the Patriots on the doorstep of OTAs and with the roster-building portion of the offseason in the rearview mirror, let's look at the five biggest questions surrounding the Patriots. 1. Which receivers will make the team? The Patriots needed to draft a receiver (which they did, picking Kyle Williams in the third round), but they'll now have some tough decisions. Even though their group of receivers likely still ranks among the bottom 10 in the NFL, they have a logjam of players aiming to be one of the five or six who make the roster. At this point, Stefon Diggs, Mack Hollins, and Williams are locks to make the team. Demario Douglas probably is, too. But that likely leaves only two roster spots for Ja'Lynn Polk, Kayshon Boutte, Kendrick Bourne, Javon Baker and anyone else who joins the mix. That, of course, is what training camp is for. Let them compete and see who comes out on top. But either way, it's going to mark another big change to this roster, which continues to be turned over by Vrabel. Wide receiver is going to be arguably the most interesting position battle this summer. 2. How do they generate a pass rush on the edge? In what was a bit of a surprise, the Patriots didn't add an edge rusher in the draft until the fifth round when they chose LSU's Bradyn Swinson. Clearly, they don't view edge rusher as the same level of need as many of us speculated. Still, I'm a little skeptical of how the Patriots will get to the quarterback from the outside. The interior duo of Christian Barmore and Milton Williams should be great at pushing the pocket. But you'd ideally like someone coming around the corner to meet them in the backfield, and that's where I think the Patriots could struggle. Harold Landry's pass-rush numbers have dipped in recent years, Anfernee Jennings is mostly a run stuffer and K'Lavon Chaisson has been inconsistent over his five years (though he is coming off his best season as a pass rusher). So what does that mean? In short, I think the Pats are banking on Keion White having a bounce-back year and becoming a reliable edge rusher. Eliot Wolf breaks down the 2025 Patriots draft class. — New England Patriots (@Patriots) May 2, 2025 3. Who will be the starting left guard? Similar to wide receiver, this position is wide open as practices begin and likely leads to a surprise cut or two. The favorite to win the gig is probably Cole Strange. His last two years have been close to a disaster, playing in only 13 of the last 34 games. But the hope is he can find some stability, put the injuries in the past and have a decent training camp in a new offense. Another option is third-round pick Jared Wilson out of Georgia, though it's not clear he'll even get this chance. Wilson is the team's long-term center. But after signing Garrett Bradbury in free agency, there's a chance Wilson starts at left guard before moving to center next year. Sidy Sow, Layden Robinson, and Wes Schweitzer will get a look, too. But of those five, only Wilson's spot on the 53-man roster is guaranteed. 4. Do they have enough at nickel corner? Marcus Jones is the only true slot corner on the roster, and he's injury-prone. That's why it was a bit of a surprise when the Patriots didn't draft anyone at the position. While I didn't love the selection of Craig Woodson in the fourth round, here's the rationale: The Patriots are planning to use a big nickel personnel frequently on early downs. That could minimize the role of a true slot corner if you play with three safeties and send one of them (perhaps Jabrill Peppers?) closer to the line of scrimmage. Still, I question if there's enough depth behind Jones for the times they play a true 11 personnel team, which will require a true slot corner. (It's worth noting that next season they play four of the top six teams in 11 personnel usage a year ago: the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns.) 5. How long will Rhamondre Stevenson be the starter? Second-round pick TreVeyon Henderson's role seems settled. He'll be the third-down, change-of-pace back to start the season. He'll be leaned on in the passing game and to provide some explosiveness while spelling Stevenson. But you don't typically draft a running back with a top-40 pick to give him a small role, like getting 20 snaps per game. (At least you'd hope that's the case.) So it wouldn't be a surprise if Henderson started getting more of the carries at some point this season. The question is whether he does enough in training camp for that to start in Week 1 or if it's more of a, say, Week 13 thing. (Photo of Rhamondre Stevenson: Megan Briggs / Getty Images)
USA Today
25-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Bradyn Swinson Scouting Report: Everything NFL fans need to know about the LSU product
Bradyn Swinson Scouting Report: Everything NFL fans need to know about the LSU product Coming off the best season of his collegiate career, former LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson will try his hand at the professional level. The edge defender led the team in sacks and tackles for loss. Under the direction of first-year defensive ends coach Kevin Peoples, Swinson developed into a force to be reckoned with. He wreaked havoc on opposing offenses, leading to an All-SEC selection. Swinson joined head coach Brian Kelly's team after three seasons at Oregon. In his fourth and fifth college seasons, he reached new levels of productivity and developed into a reliable starter by the end. He finished his five-year career with 55 appearances and 128 tackles, including 25 for loss and 13.5 sacks. Analysts highlight Swinson's solid frame and length as well as his active hands when going against offensive tackles. However, his leanness could be a downfall too, especially against agile lines and running backs in the NFL. He's projected to be a day two selection. Read more about Swinson's history and what scouts are saying about him ahead of the 2025 NFL Draft. Recruiting ranking Swinson was a three-star prospect and the No. 33 edge rusher in the 2020 class, according to On3's Industry Rankings. He committed to Oregon over a plethora of Power Four offers. As a three-star transfer following the 2022 season, Swinson was the No. 54 edge rusher in the portal. He joined the Tigers during Kelly's first season at the helm. NFL scouting report "Swinson is competitive at the point of attack, where he uses his length and footwork to beat the block or prevent bock sustains. He is high-cut and eggy with average lateral agility but has an innate feel for playing off the block and making tackles." - Lance Zierlein, "'Solid' is a word that kept coming up while watching Bradyn Swinson's tape and writing his scouting report. He should enter the NFL as a decent pass-rusher and has a chance to develop into a complete player by growing as a run defender." - Matt Holder, Bleacher Report College statistics
USA Today
16-04-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Atlanta Falcons host LSU EDGE prospect on pre-draft visit
Atlanta Falcons host LSU EDGE prospect on pre-draft visit 2025 NFL draft: Falcons host LSU EDGE Bradyn Swinson on pre-draft visit The Atlanta Falcons are wrapping up their final pre-draft visits before the 2025 NFL draft kicks off next week. On Wednesday, the team was linked to two more prospects. According to NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport, the Falcons are hosting LSU edge prospect Bradyn Swinson on a top-30 visit. Swinson finished the 2024 season with nine sacks, 43 hurries and two forced fumbles in his first year starting. The Tigers standout is a projected Day 2 prospect who could upgrade an underwhelming Falcons pass rush. A Georgia native, Swinson spent three seasons at Oregon before transferring to LSU in 2023. While he must improve against the run, Swinson earned a Pro Football Focus pass-rush grade of 90.3 last season. According to Rapoport, the Falcons also wrapped up a pre-draft meeting with William and Mary offensive lineman Charles Grant. The team has an obvious hole at the center position after losing Drew Dalman in free agency. While Grant played exclusively at left tackle over the last three seasons, some scouts believe he's best suited to move inside to guard or center in the NFL. In 2024, Grant earned an overall PFF grade of 91.2 and a zone-blocking grade of 93. Wednesday is the final day for pre-draft visits ahead of the 2025 NFL draft. Here's a look at some other prospects the Falcons have met with. Make sure to check out our latest pre-draft starting lineup projections for the Falcons in 2025.
USA Today
25-03-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 36, LSU DE Bradyn Swinson
Unpacking Future Packers: No. 36, LSU DE Bradyn Swinson The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft. During Jeff Hafley's first season as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, the pass rush did disappearing acts in big games far too often. The Packers dismissed defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots. Brian Gutekunst made it crystal clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that they need the defensive line to create more consistent chaos if they are going to get to where they want to go. "We need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players," Gutekunst said. "I'm excited about the guys we have in the room, we'll see if we add to it, but that's gotta get better if we're going to accomplish our goals we want to accomplish in this season." A player that would bring instant juice to Green Bay's pass rush is Bradyn Swinson. The LSU edge rusher checks in at No. 36 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown. A three-star recruit out of Georgia, Swinson started his collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks before transferring to LSU in 2023. During his first season with the Tigers, he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. This past season, Swinson recorded 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks. "Swinson was LSU's best pass rusher this past season," Koki Riley, the LSU report for The Advocate and said. "He improved his ability to set the edge in the run game and posted career highs in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. He plays with a high motor and has a very big and fun personality." At 6-4, 255 pounds and nearly 34-inch arms, Swinson is well-put together. The Oregon transfer has an explosive first step and has quick upfield acceleration. He's bendy and runs the arc with speed, using his long strides to quickly close on the quarterback. He keeps leveling up as a hands fighter to keep himself clean and he's close to getting his black belt. He does a good job of converting speed to power. To go along with his 8.5 sacks, Swinson recorded 60 pressures this past season. "He's a bendy and athletic pass rusher who dramatically increased his production on the field since transferring to LSU from Oregon," Riley said. "He had just three sacks in two seasons with the Ducks." Swinson plays with a revved-up motor and that's evident as a backside defender when he's able to chase down ball carriers with his effort and outstanding closing speed. He has the lateral quickness to sidestep blockers and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's combative at the point of attack and has gotten better each season at setting the edge. This past season he recorded a career-high 31 run stops. "Swinson was productive in his first season at LSU, but almost strictly as a pass rusher," Riley said. "He didn't play on every down and shared reps at the Jack position with Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo. Oghoufo was the veteran LSU turned to in order to stop the run. Swinson's role was to affect the quarterback on passing downs. Once Oghoufo departed after last year, Swinson took on a bigger role and proved that he could be a strong anchor against the run." Fit with the Packers Green Bay's pass rush could use a different flavor. With Opening Day right around the corner let's use a baseball reference. Right now that room is filled with starting pitchers who pitch to contact. What that room needs is a flamethrower. Somebody with some juice. Enter Swinson. The LSU defensive end would bring instant juice to Green Bay's pass rush. While he may not have the first-step quickness of Clay Matthews, he gets upfield quickly to challenge offensive tackles. "At the next level, Swinson would provide quality depth to any edge rushing unit, thanks to his pass-rushing capabilities, athleticism and improved play as a run stopper," Riley said. "His joyous personality should only help a team's locker room as well." The obvious hope for Green Bay's pass rush is Gary bounces back and Van Nesse enjoys a breakout during his third year in the league. Even if those things happen, the Packers could stand to add a player like Swinson who would offer a different look to help keep offensive tackles off balance.
