Mel Kiper’s latest 2023 mock draft links the Saints to DT Bryan Bresee
The New Orleans Saints did a great job of navigating the free hand to where they aren’t forced to reach a position of adversity in the first round of the 2023 NFL draft. They’ve addressed holes at quarterback, running back, tight end and defensive tackle in the first week of veteran signings so they can head into April to add the best prospects available.
Here’s an idea of who might be available, from ESPN draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. In his last mock draft, Kiper had the Saints picking the tight end of the Georgia Bulldogs and professional people-mover Darnell Washington, but in this scenario has he the Cincinnati Bengals, who pick Washington a spot ahead of New Orleans. So this time, he projects the Saints picking Clemson Tigers defensive tackle Bryan Bresee:
New Orleans, back in Round 1 after Denver gave up that choice in the deal for coach Sean Payton, is in an interesting place. It just added quarterback Derek Carr, and it has a talented, experienced roster — with a few holes. It has attempted to plug some of those holes, notably by reversing defensive tackle position and free-handing Khalen Saunders and Nathan Shepherd. These two defenders have never played a full-time role, however, so the Saints should add another tackle if Bresee is available. Bresee had fantastic training on the combine and made it onto my move up list. He could see the field early and often for this team.
Bresee is a perspective with enormous – but so far unfulfilled – sporting potential. He posted a Relative Athletic Score of 9.58 after clocking the 40-yard dash in just 4.86 seconds at 6ft 4 1/2 and 298 pounds with 32 1/2 inch arms. He also smashed his agility runs with a three-cone drill of 7.41 seconds and a short shuttle of 4.38 seconds, both very impressive numbers for a big man.
But the production is not there. Bresee doesn’t seem quite sure what to do with his hands when he’s handed over. He’s only generated 60 quarterback pressure on 558 career pass rush snaps per Pro Football Focus chart. And he’s let some plays get away with 8 missed tackles in 51 career attempts at Clemson. Much of this inconsistency is due to serious adversity; Bresee mourned the sudden death of his sister last year and missed the beginning of his Clemson career with a cruciate ligament tear, shoulder surgery and an unusual kidney infection. Coping with all of this is a challenge for a 21-year-old.
Despite this, he has many fans in NFL draft circles. Several teams are likely considering him in the first round of this year’s event. If a team can put him in a positive position with a strong supporting cast and good coaching, maybe they can help Bresee play his best football.