VDT: Clemson DT Bryan Bresee Could Fill an Underrated Need for the Vikings
Josh Frey
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The Minnesota Vikings could be entering a post-Dalvin Tomlinson era after his contract voided on Monday afternoon, leaving the Vikings with $7.5 million in dead cap for 2023. If the Vikings are truly in need of a defensive tackle, they are in luck because one of the best in the 2023 Draft class could be available to them with the 23rd overall pick.
That prospect is Clemson DT Bryan Bresee, and he is the focus of today’s edition of Vikings Draft Thermometer series, PurplePTSD‘s one-stop shop for all your 2023 NFL Draft needs. Throughout this series, we have examined a number of prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, what exactly their role could be at the NFL level, and most importantly, whether or not they could end up playing their first NFL snaps in a Vikings uniform.
Background
- Height: 6’5
- Weight: 305 pounds
- School: Clemson
- Games Watched: Wake Forest (2022), Syracuse (2022), Tennessee (2022)
Statistics
- 2020: 23 tackles, 6.5 TFLs, 4.0 sacks, 2 PDs, 1 FF (11 games)
- 2021: 13 tackles, 3.0 TFLs, 1.5 sacks (4 games)
- 2022: 15 tackles, 5.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 2 PDs (10 games)
Strengths
Bryan Bresee is another physical freak in this draft class that plays along the defensive line. He has a litany of pass rush moves at his disposal due to his incredible athleticism.
Additionally, he may primarily be a defensive tackle, but he has shown the ability to play up and down the defensive line throughout his career. Don’t think of him as a prospect that is limited to the interior.
That being said, Bresee is certainly at his best when he is wreaking havoc in the middle of the defensive line. His speed has been no match for many interior offensive linemen throughout his collegiate career, and he could provide an immediate boost to a defensive line at the NFL level.
He’s a very sure tackler as well. Once he gets his mitts on a ballcarrier, they probably aren’t going to escape. According to PFF, he missed only four tackles during his entire college football career.
Weaknesses
The main reason Bresee could fall in this draft is ability to stop the run. While he has elite pass rush ability due to his athleticism, he isn’t the best at shedding blocks from overpowering offensive linemen.
It’s always safer to be wary of players, especially on the interior of the trenches, that rely on athleticism more than power and strength. Perhaps an NFL nutrition plan and adding another 10 pounds or so could help eliminate some of these issues, though.
NFL Projection
- Draft Round: Mid-Late First
- Immediate Role: Starting defensive line
- Best-Case Scenario: Grady Jarrett
- Vikings Draft Temperature: 55
Overall, the Vikings have to keep Bresee on their radar. This prospect has unreal pass rush skills at the defensive tackle position, and Minnesota had some serious struggles in terms of generating any type of pass rush from the interior of their defensive line last season. This need is only amplified by Tomlinson’s potential exit.
It really all comes down to whether or not Bresee falls down the board, though. There’s a world where he gets taken in the top 10, but if teams prioritize QB and CB early on in, there could be a chance that he falls to the Vikings at No. 23.
Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The College of Idaho with a bachelor’s degree in Creative Writing. He also earned minors in History, Human Biology, and Journalism. When he’s not writing about the NFL, Josh enjoys marathon training, playing video games, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. For more of his opinions, check out his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.