Prospect Profile: Chris Braswell, EDGE, Alabama

Context

Plays mostly outside as the 7 technique both hand in the dirt and standing up.

Pass Rush

Has solid upfield burst; his take-off isn’t elite but he has a very quick second and third step that allow him to accelerate into contact and put the OL in a difficult position early. He’s smart so his reaction doesn’t change significantly depending on down and distance and game situation. He’s more explosive out of a three-point stance and seems to keep his leverage better through the rep. As a pass rusher he has a really nice plan which centers around his primary offering – his speed-to-power move. He can work this successfully against most types of competition. When he does face a 330lb+ Offensive Tackle with good play strength, they can reset and re-anchor to compete with him late in the rep but even they will likely be rocked backwards initially. He also has a bull rush that can be effective and off both of these moves he has an effective push-pull counter if his progress is stopped. These attempts to come through the blocker are difficult to stop unless you have better play strength and even then you will need to stay fundamentally sound and not cheat to cover outside moves.

He does have an outside move to help him set up the power moves, with a cross-chop that is quick and well-timed but isn’t always consistently accurate so isn’t always successful. He has the beginning of some inside moves but he could work these secondary offerings more effectively to keep OL off his straight power moves. Specifically, his footwork when pressing outside before coming back inside or through the OL, is not convincing as his feet and hips are always pointed in the direction he intends to go. OL with good processing can neutralize this and bait him too. He’s always got another move to go to, has a high motor and active hands, and always gives the OL all they can handle. He’s got good bend to corner and continues to work his hands, often getting control of the back shoulder of the blocker which helps him to make the turn to the QB. He can finish on most QB types and his core strength means he can even make tackles on the QB when engaged with a blocker. Most of his prowess as a pass-rusher comes from his excellent hand usage, as his strike is always well-timed and well-placed and it acts as the foundation for most of his moves.

Vs Run

He reads the run game very well and reads the game at a high level in general. He is aggressive, he sets a hard and physical edge and will constrict running lanes except against those who have very good or elite play strength, but he will compete with them. He sees Gap runs coming early and can take on pullers when they target him. He does this with less fundamentals than he normally does when taking on blocks so struggles to get off the block and make a play on the ball carrier. As a play-side defender against Zone blocking he will be aggressive and he will deploy his hand usage and leverage to set the edge. As a back-side defender he stays disciplined and normally makes a play on a bend read for a modest gain. He hits like a train and will look for opportunities to make big hits without compromising the structure of the defense. He will get off blocks and make plays on the ball carrier in his gap.

SUMMARY
Refined pass-rusher who knows how to win. Plenty athletic, tough and smart, he sets a hard and physical edge in the run game. Some refinement needed as a pass-rusher, immediate starter.

PRODUCTION
SR: 13 Sacks, 10 QB hits, 36 Total Tackles, 3 FF, 1 INT
JR: 4 Sacks, 5 QB hits, 17 total tackles, 1 FF
INJURY: None (2021)

RAVENS FIT
Athleticism 4
Intelligence 5
Versatility 4
Grit 5
Scheme 5