Saints Draft Prospect: Huskies Edge Rusher Could Be A Nice Addition For New Orleans After The First Round

Taking a closer look at a prospect from the National Runner-Ups that would bring immediate value to a defensive line.

Bralen Trice - DE, Washington, 6-3 & 245-Lbs.

The recent signing of DE Chase Young by the New Orleans Saints might mean that the team may not feel the need to draft an edge rusher in the first round. However, a closer look at the defensive end position says that the Saints may not be wise to ignore this spot altogether in the draft.

New Orleans had only 34 sacks in 2023, fourth worst in the NFL and their fewest since 2016. Their edge spot only had 16 of those sacks, along with 39 QB hits and 25 tackles for loss. That was with 8.5 sacks in a breakout campaign from Carl Granderson and three sacks in one game from Tanoh Kpassagnon.

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive end Bralen Trice (8) celebrates a / Sara Diggins/American-Statesman-USA

Cam Jordan dealt with injuries most of last year, but also turns 35 and is heading into his 14th season. Payton Turner, a first-round pick in 2021, has missed 36 of 51 games because of injuries. The coaches may have confidence in Isaiah Foskey, but facts are that last year's second-round selection did virtually nothing. Kpassagnon has been little more than a solid role player throughout his career.

Even Young, the second overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, has performed well below expectations. He had 7.5 sacks and 10 tackles for loss as a rookie, but a combined nine sacks and 10 tackles for loss in the three seasons since.

The Saints may forego using a first round choice on a defensive end, but don't be surprised if one is selected within a few rounds after. It's a position that looks fairly deep, with talent avaliable into Day 2 or perhaps even early into Day 3. Here's a closer look at one such prospect.

Feb 29, 2024; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Washington defensive lineman Bralen Trice (DL49) works out / Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

After a standout career at Sandra Day O'Connor High School in Arizona, Bralen Trice shot up the west coast to play for Pac-12 power Washington. He'd redshirt in 2019, then opted out due to Covid in 2020. As a reserve in 2021, he had two sacks with five tackles for loss and came on strong at the end with an MVP performance in the Alamo Bowl.

Trice was one of the top defenders in the Pac 12 over the last two seasons. He won back-to-back 1st Team All-Pac 12 honors thanks to 16 sacks and 24 stops for loss for the 2023-24 National Runner-up Huskies.

A high effort player, Trice plays every snap with an equally high intensity level. His non-stop motor allows him to pick up a lot of second effort sacks and make plays in pursuit. As a pass rusher, Trice is extremely impressive on inside stunts and twists. He rushes with excellent power and has the strength to successfully bull-rush blockers and push the pocket backwards.

Jan 1, 2024; New Orleans, LA, USA; Washington Huskies defensive end Bralen Trice (8) knocks the ball / Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Against the run, Trice packs a good initial punch and has enough strength to maintain advantage at the point of attack. He possesses strong recognition of opposing running lanes and the agility to get into position to make a play.

Trice is not only smaller than the prototype that the Saints prefer at end, but he doesn't have the preferred length of the average NFL edge rusher. Agile but not fast, he doesn't have ideal explosion around the edge. He's also a tightly hipped athlete, so doesn't have a flexible bend around tackles.

Trice lacks the counter moves necessary to combat blockers once his initial rush is stalled. In space, he can be caught flat-footed against misdirection or shifty ball carriers. While he has the build for a stand-up rusher, he's probably best suited as a more traditional 4-3 defensive end.

Bralen Trice may have hurt his draft stock with a poor combine performance. However, his collegiate production and motor all but guarantees him as at least a Day 2 pick. In a position that tends to get overdrafted, he might be undervalued by several teams.

Trice has the rare upside to be an every down factor against both the pass and run. He may never be a star, but he has the power and baseline ability to be a valuable part of a team's defensive edge rotation.