Saints Most Pivotal Rookie According to NFL Expert

In what looks to be an outstanding draft class by the Saints, this incoming rookie is identified as being the most important to the team’s success in 2023.

NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein recently listed this season's most pivotal rookie for each team in 2023. Quarterbacks, as is often the case, attract the most attention. However, Zierlein included just two quarterbacks in his 32 team list, and even surprisingly went with C Juice Scruggs over second overall choice C.J. Stroud for the Houston Texans. 

One quarterback Zierlein did identify is Bryce Young, the first overall choice by the Carolina Panthers. He also listed G Cody Mauch for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and RB Bijan Robinson for the Atlanta Falcons as their team's most important rookies in the NFC South. 

As for the New Orleans Saints, here's who Zierlein listed as their most pivotal rookie for the 2023 season. 

Bryan Bresee, DT 

Drafted: Round 1, No. 29 overall

New Orleans' run defense ranked in the bottom third of the league in 2022, giving up more than 130 yards per game, so it wasn't surprising to see the Saints draft a defensive tackle in the first. Bresee is a squared-off defender who plays with above-average energy and has the ability to be quite disruptive. The injury bug hit him hard at Clemson, but with a clean bill of health, the former five-star recruit is a top-notch talent on the defensive front.

• Lance Zierlein, NFL Draft Analyst 

Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee (11) sacks Tennessee Volunteers quarterback Joe Milton III (7) during the 2022 Orange Bowl at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY

Bresee was one of 19 first-round choices selected by Zierlein as being the most important rookies to their team in 2023. He was one of only two defensive tackles and nine defensive players in general identified by the long-time draft analyst. 

New Orleans made Bresee the fourth interior defensive lineman selected in this spring's draft with the first-round choice they obtained in the Sean Payton trade to Denver. The explosive defensive tackle had nine sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss in 25 games over three years at Clemson. 

The 21-year-old Bresee was the first of seven selections by the Saints in the 2023 NFL Draft. Their other picks were DE Isaiah Foskey (2nd round), RB Kendre Miller (3rd), G/T Nick Saldiveri (4th), QB Jake Haener (4th), S Jordan Howden (5th), and WR A.T. Perry (6th).

Bresee got off to a resounding start as a freshman with Clemson. He appeared in 11 games and had four sacks and 6.5 tackles for loss on his way to 1st Team All-ACC and ACC Freshman of the Year honors.

A torn ACL limited Bresee to just four games in 2021.  Despite the tragic loss of his younger sister and shoulder surgery the following year, he still managed 3.5 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. 

Bresee is one of three new faces on a revamped defensive tackle position for the Saints that also includes free agent additions Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd. Despite modest collegiate production, Bresee has the tools to make an immediate impact. 

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

At 6'5" and 305-Lbs., Bresee has the power to push a pocket back into the quarterback. He's explosive off the snap and has outstanding upper body movement to slip by blocks and deal with double teams. Bresee shows excellent lateral movement in pursuit once disengaging from blockers and has a decisive closing burst to the ball.

Most scouts, Zierlein included, felt that Bresee's upside as a pro greatly exceeded his collegiate production. He has an enticing combination of power and athleticism to go along with good instincts and a tenacious work ethic. 

As a first-round choice, Bryan Bresee is not only the key to the success of the Saints draft class, but also one of the crucial pieces to the success of the defense in 2023.