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Saints Draft Bryan Bresee at 29th Overall

No trading up for the Saints in Round 1, as they used the 29th pick to take defensive tackle Bryan Bresee out of Clemson.

John Hendrix

Saints Draft Bryan Bresee at 29th Overall
Saints Draft Bryan Bresee at 29th Overall /
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The Saints didn't have to trade up to get their guy on Thursday night. New Orleans used their 29th pick to take Clemson defensive tackle Bryan Bresee.

QUICK THOUGHTS: This is who I mocked today in my only one, and it just makes sense. This is someone who fans can easily root for, and he has an incredible backstory. He'll be a contributor from the very start.

Taking Bryan Bresee just makes the most sense, especially with New Orleans needing to address the defensive tackle spot. He's a force on the interior at getting after the quarterback, which is something the defense could absolutely use. There's just a lot of things to like about his game. The only real issue is the medical side, but anyone drafting him will have done their due diligence. Bresee will instantly make the defense better.

Draft Profile Notes (from Bob Rose)

If he is selected by the Saints, his fit is clear. While he has experience working from nose tackle out to taking snaps as a 5-tech run stopper (think Cameron Jordan his rookie season), his NFL projection is that of a 3-tech pass-rush penetrator. Lining him up between the opposing tackle and guard in passing situations will allow him to specialize where he has already proven to be so effective, getting after and disrupting the passer. 

New Orleans could further develop his play against the run. Keep in mind, Bresee is only 21-years old. But a Todd Grantham defensive line needs to be able to attack. Bresee can flat-out attack. But whether or not he can stay healthy will be the most important factor in his evaluation.

KEY NEEDS: DE, RB, WR, LB, S, OL

Remaining Saints Picks

  • Round 2, No. 40
  • Round 3, No. 71
  • Round 4, No. 115
  • Round 5, No. 146
  • Round 5, No. 165 (from PHI)
  • Round 7, No. 227
  • Round 7, No. 257 (compensatory)

Saints Draft Outlooks

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John Hendrix
JOHN HENDRIX

I officially started covering the New Orleans Saints & other NFL topics in 2011. My work has been featured on various outlets over the years. I worked closely with Skyhorse Publishing in Fall 2018 to update the book, Tales From the New Orleans Saints Sidelines, which filled in all Saints material from the 2013-2017 seasons. Prior to joining Saints News Network, I served as the Managing Editor of SB Nation's Canal Street Chronicles for 3.5 years, and before that with FanSided's Who Dat Dish as the Managing Editor for several years. I have also had experiences of being a freelance Saints reporter for The Sun Herald in Biloxi, MS and a contributing writer for WDSU, a local NBC TV station in New Orleans. I have appeared on a vast amount of TV and Radio shows, both nationally and locally. For tips, comments, or suggestions, please contact me at johnhendrix@saintsnews.net

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