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How Bryan Bresee Fits In The Saints Defense

Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee has experience playing all over defenses. And that versatility will come into play early as a New Orleans Saint.

Ross Jackson

How Bryan Bresee Fits In The Saints Defense
How Bryan Bresee Fits In The Saints Defense /
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The fit for the New Orleans Saints and newly acquired defensive tackle Bryan Bresee is an impactful one. After selecting the 6-foot-5, 298 pound athletic interior pass-rusher at No. 29 overall in the NFL Draft, immediate impact is the hope when he hits the NFL gridiron his rookie season. How will the Saints deploy the former No. 1 overall high school recruit in the nation? However they would like.

Bryan Bresee looks on ahead of Clemson's matchup with Wake Forest.
Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) wams up before the game with Wake Forest at Truist Field in Winston-Salem, North Carolina Saturday, September 24, 2022. Ncaa Football Clemson At Wake Forest

Bresee's story will always be lead by the astounding amount of adversity he has faced in his young life. Perhaps the navigation of that experience gives context toward his fit off-the-field. The importance of "make up" as general manager Mickey Loomis highlighted in his pre-draft press conference with New Orleans media. Bresee does not lack for dimension on or off the football field. You can read more about his experience and that tribulations he and his family have overcome here. But when it comes to the football field, Bresee is no less impressive and no less resilient.

When it comes to the Clemson product’s fit with the team and its system, looking back at his collegiate contributions is a must. “We went back and were studying him again this morning," Saints head coach Dennis Allen said. “You watch him and he lines up and he plays a 5, he plays a 4i, he plays a head-up 2, he's a 2i inside the guard, he plays head-up on the center. So he's played everywhere along the defensive line.”

New Orleans plays a very aggressive brand of football along the defensive line. It is a signature part of Allen’s defense. Heavy rotation not only in regard to who is on the field when, but even where players take their snaps.

Bresee projects to the NFL as an attacking 3-technique defensive tackle. Meaning he would put his hand in the dirt and line up between the opposing team’s guard and tackle. But his versatility and eye discipline are key factors to his ability to be able to contribute from multiple angles and positions.

It helps too that his collegiate system was never married to a specific defensive scheme or deployment either. “We ran a ton of different defenses,” Bresee told media in his post-draft presser. “Switched it up just about every week depending on who we were playing. We ran, i mean you name it. Okie, Bear, 3-man front, 4-man front, whatever it was. I mean we ran just about everything.”

The Okie front fit is a very specific callout. If you think back to almost any third and long faced by the Saints defense, it is easy to spot. The Saints will put three down on the defensive line with two linebackers threatening each A-gap (the space between the center and each guard) on either side of a nose tackle. The two linebackers can either rush or drop back into coverage. The Saints are never shy about potentially dropping one of their lineman back as well.

It is all a uniquely intriguing aspect of Bresee’s game, his understanding and familiarity with multiple fronts and strategies. The Saints tend to treat their scheme similarly. In a single game it is not out of the ordinary to see New Orleans use four-man, three-man, heavy and even five-man fronts depending on the game situation, down and distance and other factors.

Bresee’s knowledge of how to rush from multiple techniques and generate pressure from multiple fronts is of great value. Not only does he understand his role in a defense, but his versatility gives him an understanding of the responsibilities of everyone around him and how he can best contribute to their successes as well.

USATSI_19279720_168388561_lowres
Oct 22, 2022; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson defensive lineman Bryan Bresee (11) sacks Syracuse quarterback Garrett Shrader (6) during the fourth quarter at Memorial Stadium in Clemson, South Carolina on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Mandatory Credit: Ken Ruinard-USA TODAY Sports

Bresee also displayed his ability as a talented stunt-rusher in college. Twisting and crossing post-snap with another defensive lineman, creating confusion and havoc at the line of scrimmage. He was able to execute those stunts with precision and disguise. This is another area where he can bring some immediate and positive impact to New Orleans.

His best fit will, without a doubt, be displaying his attacking nature from the 3-tech defensive tackle position. But expect Bresee to move around the line, rush from multiple alignments every game and likely see a healthy amount of snaps early in his career. It may be tough to keep him off of the field at all if he matches his prowess as a pass-rusher with his run stopping ability at the next level.

The Saints add the athletic interior pass-rusher they so desperately needed. And, assuming he answers the questions surrounding his health well, he should be put in position to maximize his talents. Talents that make him jump off of tape like a top-10 prospect when he is on. The nature of Allen’s defense should allow him to consistently rise to that level in New Orleans. 

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Ross Jackson
ROSS JACKSON