Patriots' Super Bowl Mastermind Reveals a Hidden Gem for the Draft

The New England Patriots' 2025 NFL draft included prominent picks at the forefront, but an ex-architect of the team's initial Super Bowl championship era highlighted a lesser-known player from day three as someone to keep an eye on.

Scott Pioli, instrumental in assembling the rosters responsible for securing the Patriots' initial trio of Super Bowl victories, encouraged supporters not to overlook ex-LSU defensive end Bradyn Swinson. This is high praise indeed for a fifth-round selection picked at number 146 overall; however, Pioli sees significant potential in this pass rusher and thus advocates strongly for him.

The 60-year-old shared with Steve Burton from WBZ Boston Sports about his "consulting role for Brian Kelly and the LSU team." This position allowed Pioli to closely observe Swinson's talents firsthand.

Pioli initiated his discussion with Burton by concentrating on the fourth-overall pick and Swinson’s collegiate teammate, left tackle Will Campbell. Nevertheless, the former vice president of player personnel for the Patriots from 2002-08 advised supporters not to " Rest easy, fellow Tiger, fifth-round selection Bradyn Swinson. During my time as a consultant, I had ample opportunity to observe them both on and off the field. @LSUfootball The last few seasons have shown me that Swinson’s finest moments on the field are still yet to come."

The present Patriots leadership under general manager Eliot Wolf and head coach Mike Vrabel will be hoping that Swinson turns out to be a great find. He’ll join an edge-rushing corps that lacks punch and has plenty to demonstrate in a more aggressive system.

These concerns did not lead the Patriots to select a defensive end prematurely, however both Swinson and another lineman chosen later in Day 3 are now considered to be great value selections.

Patriots' Fifth-Round Pick Shows Promise as a Dark Horse Candidate

Swinson’s potential as a valuable pick lies in his remarkable productivity during his last season with the Tigers. This 22-year-old recorded "60 quarterback pressures in 2024 (ranked fourth among edge rushers)," as reported. PFF College .

He possesses an innate knack for rushing from the edge, combined with the capability to swiftly convert his speed into powerful moves. These invaluable traits for a pass-rusher are encapsulated within him. 6-foot-3, 255-pound frame.

Swinson’s physique suits him well for a versatile front-line defense that relies on aggressive rotations upfront. Whether he lines up standing or crouches with his hands on the ground like a conventional defensive end, he excels at rushing the passer.

These are the strong points of Swinson's gameplay, but he tends to struggle when facing the run. Bleacher Report’s Matt Holder recorded, Swinson’s "slender build which makes it challenging for him to establish the edge against tough competitors and he tends to turn his shoulders while doing so. He lacks strength and physicality when facing blockers trying to narrow running paths as the main tackler in run fits."

Luckily, the Patriots did not select Swinson to defend against the run. Rather, they utilized a later round choice for a lineman more appropriate for that specific role.

Patriots Discovered Issues on Day Three

Before selecting Swinson, Wolf and Vrabel sought a dominant presence in the middle of their defensive line. They chose an inside lineman. Joshua Farmer out of contention, aiding in replacing what they lost following the Patriots' trade for the nose tackle position Davon Godchaux to the New Orleans Saints back in March, According to Chad Graff from The Athletic .

Farmer is a 312-pounder Who can face centers one-on-one, draw double teams, and ensure linebackers stay free to stop rushing plays? These attributes made the former Florida State star a favored choice among fourth-round selections. ESPN’s Field Yates .

Two new linemen are entering the fold. continues the change For the Patriots' defensive line under the guidance of new coordinator Terrell Williams, he and Vrabel aim for a more aggressive and versatile four-man rush.

Swinson will assume his position as a situational pass-rusher backing up the main edge defenders. Harold Landry III and Keion White , yet there's still potential for Farmer’s lesser-known specialized abilities.

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