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(KEN RUINARD/Staff - VIA AP)

By Saintsreport.com staff

The New Orleans Saints have selected Bryan Bresee with the 29th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. Bresee, a 6’5 305 pound defensive lineman from Clemson University, brings a unique blend of size, strength, and athleticism to the Saints' defensive line.

Bresee's early college career was nothing short of impressive. In his freshman year, he was named a consensus All-American and the ACC Defensive Rookie of the Year. He followed that up with a strong sophomore campaign, in which he recorded 6.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Throughout his time at Clemson when healthy, Bresee showcased his ability to disrupt opposing offenses, using his speed and agility to consistently penetrate the line of scrimmage and make plays in the backfield.

But it's not just Bresee's physical gifts that make him such an intriguing prospect. He is also praised for his work ethic and dedication to his craft. Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has repeatedly spoken highly of Bresee's character and leadership, citing his willingness to learn and his ability to motivate his teammates.

According to NFL Network's Daniel Jeremiah, NFL teams are reportedly split between Bresee because of his injury history and stiffness. Those injury concerns are warranted as he has missed many games after suffering a torn ACL, in 2020, and surgery on his shoulder in early 2021. In 2022 he suffered with a kidney infection, and had to deal with the untimely death of his sister.

If he can put all of that behind him, the talent is there, and Bresee's arrival in New Orleans comes at an opportune time for the Saints, who are looking to rebuild their defensive line after a disappointing 2022 season and the offseason losses of mainly - David Onyemata, Marcus Davenport, and Shy Tuttle. The team also finished just 20th in the league in sacks and struggled to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks. With Bresee in the fold, the Saints hope to improve in both of those areas and solidify their defense as one of the best in the league.

Of course, there are always questions and uncertainties when it comes to young players making the jump from college to the NFL. Bresee will need to adjust to the speed and physicality of the pro game, and he will likely face a steep learning curve as he adjusts to new schemes and strategies. However, with his combination of talent and work ethic, there is reason to believe that he can make a smooth transition and become an impact player for the Saints sooner rather than later.

It's still too early to predict exactly how Bresee's NFL career will unfold, but there is no denying that he is an exciting addition to the Saints' roster. His size, speed, and agility make him a nightmare for opposing offenses, and his leadership and work ethic should make him a valuable asset to the team both on and off the field. If he can continue to develop and refine his skills at the pro level, there's no telling how far he can go in the NFL. For Saints fans, the arrival of Bryan Bresee is something to be excited about, and it's a safe bet that they'll be keeping a close eye on him as he begins his professional career.