Bryan Bresee Rookie Projections, Scenarios

Here's what one draft analyst says to expect from Saints DT Bryan Bresee as a rookie.

NFL.com draft analyst Chad Reuter has given his best and worst-case scenarios for the 2023-24 season for 17 rookies on both offense and defense. Reuter did not highlight any of the offensive rookies for the New Orleans Saints. The Saints selected RB Kendre Miller (third round), G/T Nick Saldiveri (fourth), QB Jake Haener (fourth), and WR A.T. Perry (sixth) in this spring's draft. 

Reuter does go on to highlight DT Bryan Bresee, the Saints' first-round choice out of Clemson, among his 17 defensive rookie scenarios. The defensive players drafted by the Saints this spring were Bresee, DE Isaiah Foskey (second round), and S Jordan Howden (fifth). Here's what Reuter had to say about what to potentially expect from the Saints top draft pick.

Bryan Bresee, DT 

Drafted: Round 1, No. 29 overall

Best-case scenario: Bresee joins free-agent acquisitions Nathan Shepherd and Khalen Saunders in improving the team's run defense. His hustle and agility make him a threat on third downs to break through the line and wrestle quarterbacks to the ground.

Worst-case scenario: The top college recruit in the 2020 class fails to consistently overpower NFL guards and centers. He consistently ends up a step late to affect pass or run plays.

Reuter's Projected stats: 25 tackles and 2 sacks.

Los Angeles Chargers guard Austen Pleasants (75) engages New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90). Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY

Bresee was the 14th defensive player drafted and fourth defensive tackle selected. In three years and 25 games at Clemson, he had 9 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, an interception, and one 1st Team All-ACC selection. This was despite a torn ACL that cut his 2021 campaign to just four games and the tragic loss of his sister and shoulder surgery going into 2022.

At 6'5" and 305-Lbs., Bresee possesses outstanding power and a good burst off the snap. He has terrific upper body movement and explosiveness to slip by blockers, but also a strong anchor to stalemate double-team blocking. 

Bresee has the power and athletic traits to develop into an elite pass rusher. However, he's relatively inexperienced and will especially need to expand his counter moves. Most scouts projected that Bresee's NFL production will quickly exceed what he showed at the collegiate level.

New Orleans completely revamped what had been a disappointing defensive tackle spot this offseason. Bresee joins priority free-agent acquisitions Shepherd and Saunders at the position. Only Malcolm Roach returns out of the team’s interior rotation from 2022.

With the additions of Saunders and Shepherd, Bresee will just be counted on to be part of a productive rotation instead of a dominant defensive presence. However, being a first round pick automatically comes with a heightened level of expectations. 

New Orleans Saints defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (90) pressures Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes (15). Mandatory Credit: Stephen Lew-USA TODAY

Bresee's primary duty will be to help improve a run defense that plummeted to a 19th ranking in 2022. He'll also be counted on to provide interior disruption for a unit that had none of it the last two years.

Reuter's projection of two sacks feel a little low for Bresee, who has noticeably improved with each practice in training camp. He'll need to take advantage of one-on-one chances and at least record pressures and hurries while also remaining effective against double-teams to create opportunities for his teammates. 

If Bresee can check off those boxes and improve the New Orleans run defense, then he won't have to fill up the stat sheet for a successful rookie year.