Bradyn Swinson DE/EDGE LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Bradyn Swinson DE/EDGE LSU
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Draft Year: 2025 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
40 time: 4.80 seconds (56%*) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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SUB-POSITION: EDGE RUSHER | |
Last Updated: 02/19/2025 | |
Draft Year: 2025 | |
40 time: 4.80 seconds (56%*) | |
Bowl Invite: Shrine Bowl | |
SHARE THIS PROFILE:
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Overall Rating: | 85.2 / 100 | |
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Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
Offense Rating: |
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79% |
Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
Tackling: |
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75% |
Pass Rush: |
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98% |
Run Defense: |
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80% |
DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#62
Position rank:
#20
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College Games: 53 College Snaps: 1558 | ||
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College Combine Results
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Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
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Kingsley Enagbare - South Carolina |
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92% |
Austin Booker - Kansas |
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87% |
Will McDonald IV - Iowa State |
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84% |
Draft Profile: Bio
A late bloomer who saved his best for last, Bradyn Swinson emerged as one of the SEC's most disruptive edge defenders in 2024 after transferring from Oregon to LSU. The former three-star recruit out of Chapel Hill High School took a winding path to prominence, spending three seasons with the Ducks before finding his footing in Baton Rouge. His breakout senior campaign included 13.5 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks, earning Second-Team All-SEC honors and turning heads with three SEC Player of the Week selections.After showing flashes at Oregon, including a memorable performance in the Ducks' 2021 upset of Ohio State, he bet on himself with a transfer to LSU. The move paid off as he transformed from a situational pass rusher in 2023 (35 tackles, 2.0 sacks) into an every-down force as a senior, leading the Tigers' defensive front in nearly every major statistical category.
The East-West Shrine Bowl participant saved his most impactful performances for LSU's biggest games, including a career-best three-sack eruption against South Carolina and a dominant showing against Ole Miss that featured eight tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Devastating inside counter move that catches tackles overplaying his speed rush - displays advanced feel for setting up and executing B-gap attacks
- Length and closing burst create constant pocket disruption - even when initially blocked, finds ways to influence passing lanes and harass quarterbacks
- High-level hand usage featuring quick chops and two-hand swipes - consistently wins initial contact and shows knack for quick disengagement
- Nasty speed-to-power conversion creates problems for lighter tackles - can walk blockers back when he catches them off-balance
- Explosive first step consistently puts tackles on their heels - wins the race to the edge and shows rare ability to flatten around the corner when he gets there
- Shows some dog in him as a pursuit defender - motor runs hot chasing plays down from the backside and covering ground sideline-to-sideline
- Natural feel for rushing angles and leverage - understands how to use alignment and get tackles leaning before attacking their weakness
- Rare athleticism for the position - combines track speed with fluid change of direction to mirror mobile quarterbacks in space
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Just 250 pounds - bigger tackles can stall his bull rush and running teams target him in the ground game
- Still developing consistency as an edge setter - gets too focused on penetration and will create cutback lanes by losing contain
- Can get washed out by double teams and combo blocks - lacks the pure mass to anchor against coordinated duo blocks
- Over-aggressive pursuit angles lead to missed opportunities - desire to make plays sometimes works against him versus misdirection
- Occasionally guesses wrong on zone reads and RPOs - needs to show more discipline diagnosing mesh point exchanges
Scouting Report: Summary
When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Swinson shows special traits that will have NFL teams salivating. His explosive get-off and refined hand usage aren't just tools - they're weapons that will translate immediately against NFL tackles. The burst he shows attacking the B-gap and the savvy he displays setting up counters suggest a pass rusher who's ready to contribute from day one.His ideal landing spot is with a 3-4 defense that can deploy him as a stand-up rusher, initially in passing situations while he develops his anchor against the run. The versatility he's shown - working stunts, dropping in coverage, even spying athletic quarterbacks - gives defensive coordinators a chess piece they can move around the formation. Put him in the right scheme, and you're looking at an impact player who should hear his name called in the late second round.
Smart money's on Swinson outplaying his draft position. His senior year jump wasn't just about opportunity - it was about development. The raw tools have been refined into real skills, and his rapid improvement curve suggests he's still ascending. A creative defensive coordinator who can protect him from heavy run-game duties early will be getting a pass rush specialist who could develop into an every-down force by year two.
Bradyn Swinson percentiles vs other Defensive Ends (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Bradyn Swinson (Overall Rank)
All Scouts AverageOverall Rank
68.3
All Scouts AveragePosition Rank
28.0
*Percentile Ranking in Player's Position Group (NFL Combine Historical Data): This percentile reflects how a player's specific statistics rank
in comparison to historical performances at the NFL Combine, specifically within their position group. A higher percentile indicates a better performance.
For instance, being in the 90th percentile for a particular stat means the player outperformed 90% of their peers in that category.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.