PATRIOTS NEWS Bradyn Swinson promoted to the 53: Have we found our edge rusher?

[VJCPatriot]

A lot of us were talking about how we needed EDGE help approaching the trade deadline. The Patriots notably made zero moves.

But today following Milton Williams move to IR, the Patriots have promoted 5th round draft pick Bradyn Swinson to the 53 man roster.




Source article: MSN

Is Swinson our answer at edge? Our QB pressures and sacks have been lukewarm this season.

Total sacks 24. Tied for 18th in the league.
Total pressures 74. Good for 19th in the league.

As per PFR team defensive stats: 2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

In case you haven't seen Bradyn Swinson here are some of his highlights. He's #4 playing for LSU.



Here's a snippet from his pre-draft scouting profile.

Strengths:
"Length and closing burst create constant pocket disruption - even when initially blocked, finds ways to influence passing lanes and harass quarterbacks

• High-level hand usage featuring quick chops and two-hand swipes - consistently wins initial contact and shows knack for quick disengagement
• 
  
• Explosive first step consistently puts tackles on their heels - wins the race to the edge and shows rare ability to flatten around the corner when he gets there."

Source:

Bradyn Swinson Defensive End - EDGE LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.9 Rank: #19 Forty: 4.80 When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Swinson shows special traits that will have NFL teams salivating. His explosive get-off and refined hand us...

nfldraftbuzz.com

I feel like the reason Swinson lasted all the way until the 5th round is that he was kind of a late bloomer for a collegiate athlete. He didn't do much at Oregon and then transferred to LSU, finally blossoming his senior season with 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks. So Swinson doesn't have a long track record even though his play in his last season pops off the tape.

So what do you guys think? Is Swinson our answer at edge? Has Vrabel just let the young man mature on the practice squad for a few months but now feels it's time to unleash the dogs of war? Is he the reason why we didn't trade for a pass rusher at the deadline?

Swinson is set to be available for the Patriots next game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

 

[rkarp1]

let's hope so, but for what it is worth, Swinson was meh over the summer
Ponder was elevated over Swinson a few games back
lets hope the staff was able to get him into a position where he can help the team

 

[PatsFan2]

Anything is possible look at Elijah Ponder??

 

[mgteich]

Williams went to IR.

We brought in someone to be the emergency backup to Chaisson, Landry, Ponder and Jennings over the next four weeks. I doubt that Swinson will be active.
=============
I support the unrealistic enthusiasm. I would note that since camp, Swinson hasn't come close to the roster, having zero elevations.
==============

 

[mgteich]

lets hope the staff was able to get him into a position where he can help the team

this year or next

 

[palialka]

No one really knows until he suits up and plays his first snaps in an actual NFL game.

The coaches obviously see something because they elevated him to the 53 man roster but let’s see what that actually leads to.

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

Williams went to IR.

We brought in someone to be the emergency backup to Chaisson, Landry, Ponder and Jennings over the next four weeks. I doubt that Swinson will be active.
=============
I support the unrealistic enthusiasm. I would note that since camp, Swinson hasn't come close to the roster, having zero elevations.
==============

I remember reading a few weeks back (maybe LB coach, or maybe Kuhr) saying he had come a long way, and something to the effect of him maybe being overweight/out of shape in camp, but had worked really hard.
Might not have been an ability thing holding him back, maybe dedication/weight.

Not putting him in the HOF, but not writing him off either.

Let's hope he surprises us THIS year, because our outside rush needs a lot of help.

 

[mgteich]

.

Let's hope he surprises us THIS year, because our outside rush needs a lot of help.

We need a lot of help only if you don't believe in Chaisson, Landry and Ponder (and Meyers and Jennings).

Swinson comes in as 5th or 6th on the EDGE depth chart. Do you disagree?

 

[Huckleberry1]

Depth.

 

[n1997y]

More data points…
Mike Vrabel reveals real reason team signed forgotten rookie to roster

Patriots prevented other NFL teams from poaching young pass rusher

 

[DoubleDeluxe]

We need a lot of help only if you don't believe in Chaisson, Landry and Ponder (and Meyers and Jennings).

Swinson comes in as 5th or 6th on the EDGE depth chart. Do you disagree?

I agree, in theory yes.
That said, we haven't been good rushing from the outside, Landry has regressed.
If Swinson is active, you bring him in as a situational rusher and see what he's got.
Obv he needs to be active, and that is a huge question mark, but outside of Chaisson we haven't been good, it's been our biggest weakness imho, one that will be exposed against better QBs.

 

[mgteich]

I agree, in theory yes.
That said, we haven't been good rushing from the outside, Landry has regressed.
If Swinson is active, you bring him in as a situational rusher and see what he's got.
Obv he needs to be active, and that is a huge question mark, but outside of Chaisson we haven't been good, it's been our biggest weakness imho, one that will be exposed against better QBs.

And it seems that Swinson has learned to play ST's if needed. Perhaps he will be active instead of Caleb Murphy.

 

[rkarp1]

pre injury Landry has been good
Jennings has been solid
Ponder has made some positive plays on passing downs and ST

I have to think Swinson is here so he wouldn't leave for another team, and the Pats have their eyes on next season with him.

Similar to Wallace and Bryant

 

[KCSVEN]

Swinson has potential, looks like a slightly taller Harold Landry. He has some pass rush moves, uses a spin move, has a nice stutter step and go move. His overall smaller weight is a hindrance against the run and on a bull rush.
Watched all his preseason play and saw potential but needs some time. Hopefully he's been working hard and also hope if he is active that he gets a chance to rush the passer a play here and there.
Biggest need for his defense is an edge rusher.

 

[patfanken]

Swinson has potential, looks like a slightly taller Harold Landry. He has some pass rush moves, uses a spin move, has a nice stutter step and go move. His overall smaller weight is a hindrance against the run and on a bull rush.
Watched all his preseason play and saw potential but needs some time. Hopefully he's been working hard and also hope if he is active that he gets a chance to rush the passer a play here and there.
Biggest need for his defense is an edge rusher.

I haven't thought much about Swinson for the last 11 weeks, so that clip of some of his rushes at LSU was a good review. I watched the Alabama ones twice. My first reaction was, "this kid needs to get stronger" My 2nd was he needs to develop so more sophisticated moves to beat NFL OT's on a consistent basis.

Hopefully that is what he's been doing over the last 3 months and what he'll continue to do in the off season.

I think he has the length, bend and speed to become an effective Edge player, just how good remains to be seen.

He has been both a guy people were VERY excited about when he was drafted, and a guy people were disappointed in on cut down day. Now he gets a chance to rewrite his story. He'll probably get 11-15 snaps a game to show what he has. I'm looking forward to it.

 

[Gumby]

Williams went to IR.

We brought in someone to be the emergency backup to Chaisson, Landry, Ponder and Jennings over the next four weeks. I doubt that Swinson will be active.
=============
I support the unrealistic enthusiasm. I would note that since camp, Swinson hasn't come close to the roster, having zero elevations.
==============

Agree; also seems more like protecting the developmental players from teams who have realized their season is lost; so,
- they will cut some old-overpriced vet (or in last year of contract) in spring anyway;
- and it might be better to fill roster with young cheap guys from other teams.

 

[Real fan 02]

A lot of us were talking about how we needed EDGE help approaching the trade deadline. The Patriots notably made zero moves.

But today following Milton Williams move to IR, the Patriots have promoted 5th round draft pick Bradyn Swinson to the 53 man roster.




Source article: MSN

Is Swinson our answer at edge? Our QB pressures and sacks have been lukewarm this season.

Total sacks 24. Tied for 18th in the league.
Total pressures 74. Good for 19th in the league.

As per PFR team defensive stats: 2025 NFL Opposition & Defensive Statistics | Pro-Football-Reference.com

In case you haven't seen Bradyn Swinson here are some of his highlights. He's #4 playing for LSU.



Here's a snippet from his pre-draft scouting profile.

Strengths:
"Length and closing burst create constant pocket disruption - even when initially blocked, finds ways to influence passing lanes and harass quarterbacks

• High-level hand usage featuring quick chops and two-hand swipes - consistently wins initial contact and shows knack for quick disengagement
• 
  
• Explosive first step consistently puts tackles on their heels - wins the race to the edge and shows rare ability to flatten around the corner when he gets there."

Source:

Bradyn Swinson Defensive End - EDGE LSU | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report

Rating: 85.9 Rank: #19 Forty: 4.80 When it comes to getting after the quarterback, Swinson shows special traits that will have NFL teams salivating. His explosive get-off and refined hand us...

nfldraftbuzz.com

I feel like the reason Swinson lasted all the way until the 5th round is that he was kind of a late bloomer for a collegiate athlete. He didn't do much at Oregon and then transferred to LSU, finally blossoming his senior season with 58 tackles and 8.5 sacks. So Swinson doesn't have a long track record even though his play in his last season pops off the tape.

So what do you guys think? Is Swinson our answer at edge? Has Vrabel just let the young man mature on the practice squad for a few months but now feels it's time to unleash the dogs of war? Is he the reason why we didn't trade for a pass rusher at the deadline?

Swinson is set to be available for the Patriots next game against the Cincinnati Bengals.

The coaching is all the difference. Mike Smith is a dam good LBs coach and the LB corps has gotten much better from earlier in the season... I'd expect Swinson to see snaps at edge.. he could have an impact just like Ponder is coming on as a rusher..

 

[Wozzy]

UDFA Elijah Ponder was elevated to the 53 man roster first over the drafted Swinson.

Ponder’s defensive snaps have increased the last two games, he had back to back sacks the last two games.

Don’t overlook Ponder, he and Swinson were twins coming out of the draft, very similar athletic profiles… Ponder just developed faster.

Draft status means nothing after the draft ends, the only thing that matters is how you play. I have hope for both prospects, but Ponder is already paying dividends.

 

[BobDigital]

I think a lot of fans and even draftniks forget how much of a NOW business the NFL is. Most GMs go into the year either knowing they will likely get canned and knowing a bad reason won't automatically be forgiven. Very few coaches and GMs are given a pass. People were high on Swinson more on his potential i think than the belief by some he wasn't ready for the NFL outside of maybe very specific situations. That turns out to be correct.

Most if not all for year 1 of Swinson would have been riding the bench most likely. And if GMs think that they don't want to spend a top 4 round pick on players, even if they should in the long term. I have no idea if he will be good, but i stand by the pick. The talent is certainly there.

 

[Real fan 02]

UDFA Elijah Ponder was elevated to the 53 man roster first over the drafted Swinson.

Ponder’s defensive snaps have increased the last two games, he had back to back sacks the last two games.

Don’t overlook Ponder, he and Swinson were twins coming out of the draft, very similar athletic profiles… Ponder just developed faster.

Draft status means nothing after the draft ends, the only thing that matters is how you play. I have hope for both prospects, but Ponder is already paying dividends.

LB's cosch Mike Smith raved about Ponder back towards the end of camp. It was inevitable he would not only make the team but be in the rotation. Ponder has great length, power and strength.

He creates great pressure especially as of late. Swinson will be playing off adrenaline early on..so hopefully he won't create any penalties to hurt the team.