Bradyn Swinson unexpectedly slipped to Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft. Many mock drafts had the LSU pass rusher going significantly earlier, so his slide is a surprise. The New England Patriots finally ended his fall by selecting him in the fifth round. Let’s examine why Swinson lasted so long after such an impressive college career.
Why Bradyn Swinson Could Have Fallen Into Day 3
The LSU Tigers pass rusher dominated in 2024, logging 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and 13 tackles for loss. He also finished the 13-game season with 58 combined tackles.
Put simply, Swinson was everywhere. Many of those numbers beat out the best in the business in the 2025 NFL Draft. However, there are some lingering questions.
Swinson’s 2024 campaign was preceded by four years with a fraction of the production, which led teams to wonder whether his final season was a fluke.
Was there a scheme change disproportionately helping Swinson? Could the offensive lines have decided to focus on other pass rushers, opening 1-on-1 blocking opportunities on him?
There is also the issue regarding Swinson’s mid-career transferr from Oregon to LSU. After three years, many players choose to enter the NFL. Swinson didn’t, changing schools and returning for another two seasons.
Before the transfer, in 2022, he played 12 games but finished with just eight tackles, raising concerns about Swinson’s ability to consistently succeed in the NFL.
The small sample size seemed to scare teams, but the Patriots ultimately decided to take a flier on him in Round 5.
PFSN’s Ian Cummings is a big fan of Swinson’s game. Here’s what he had to say about the pass rusher in his scouting report:
“Swinson isn’t always included among the cluster of EDGE prospects in the early-to-mid Day 2 range, but he grades as a top-50 talent on my board. A late bloomer, Swinson racked up 8.5 sacks and 14 TFLs in his fifth year, catapulting his NFL Draft stock.
“Quietly, Swinson has every tool in his arsenal. At 6’4″, 255 pounds, with 33 3/8″ arms, he has size, mass, length, and an ideal speed-to-power profile. He’s exceedingly explosive, with legitimate first-step explosiveness and arc-running burst, and his bend is elite.
“Swinson has room to be more consistent with his pad level through counters, and he can also continue to expand his pass-rush arsenal. But Swinson’s high ceiling on the attack, combined with his sturdy run defense, makes him a worthwhile gambit past Round 1.”
After falling so far in the NFL Draft, Swinson will certainly enter the league with a chip on his shoulder.
Could the league regret skipping the pass rusher out of LSU? Time will tell.
