Ex-Patriots exec believes fifth-round pick has best football ahead of him

The New England Patriots had a strong draft that drew positive grades from those around the NFL.

And while much of the talk is around Will Campbell, TreVeyon Henderson and Kyle Williams, one respected former Patriots executive sees a fifth rounder as one player to watch.

“Don’t sleep on fellow Tiger, 5th round pick Bradyn Swinson,” Scott Pioli wrote on X. “I got to see quite a bit of them both on the field and off the field while consulting for @LSUfootball the past couple of seasons. I truly think Swinson’s best football is ahead of him.”

Swinson was drafted in the fifth round with the 148th pick. The edge rusher fell further than expected — several draft experts had Swinson going in the third or fourth round. But the Patriots need help on the edges given they finished with a league-worst 28 sacks a season ago.

Deatrich Wise was tied with Keion White for a team-high five sacks, but Wise left New England in free agency and joined the Washington Commanders.

Last year, Swinson led LSU in sacks with 8.5, pressures with 59 and tackles for loss with 13. He also earned Second Team All-SEC honors.

The Athletic’s Dane Brugler believes Swinson could have the “quickest impact” on the Patriots of the 11 draft picks.

“With his edge speed and flexibility, Swinson can threaten the corner,” Brugler wrote. “He flashes pop in his hands but will get stuck at the top of his rush too often, and his sequencing needs continued development. He is very cognizant of his role in the run fit, but he will be covered up versus power and does his best work when lined up against tight ends.”

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