Overview
Position: Defensive end
Height: 6’4”
Weight: 271 pounds
School: Clemson Tigers
Austin Bryant 2019 NFL Draft Profile
After four successful seasons at Clemson, defensive end Austin Bryant is going to join the NFL ranks. Bryant was part of one of the best defensive lines in the nation, finishing the 2018 season with 8.5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, and 45 tackles in 15 games played. His best game likely came against Notre Dame when he recorded two sacks, six tackles, and two TFLs to help propel Clemson to the national title game.
Bryant initially joined Clemson as a top-150 recruit out of high school. The Georgia native saw playing time as a true freshman, recording 1.5 sacks, two tackles for loss, and 22 tackles in nine games played. His continued to serve in a depth role in 2016, recording 2.5 sacks, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 13 tackles in seven games.
Bryant finally broke out during his junior season. Playing in a career-high 14 games, Bryant recorded 8.5 sacks, 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 50 tackles, and two forced fumbles. His strong play earned him third-team All-American and second-team All-ACC selections.
Bryant finishes his college career with 21 sacks, 37 tackles for loss, 130 tackles, and two forced fumbles. His best season came in 2017, but his 2018 film was good enough to ensure that he wasn’t a one-year wonder.
Strengths
- long arm length and wingspan allow for first contact with offensive lineman;
- reads blocking patterns well and can exploit zone blocking schemes;
- speed rusher capable of getting low to get to the quarterback;
- strong edge presence against the run;
- capable of chasing plays down and getting backside tackles.
Weaknesses
- doesn’t possess NFL strength;
- slow break out of the snap;
- played on a star-studded defensive line and saw favorable matchups;
- plays too tall;
- struggles to recover and shed blocks when engaged by offensive linemen.
NFL Comparison: Deatrich Wise
Teams With A Need: Oakland Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Cincinnati Bengals, Washington Redskins, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, New York Giants
Projection: Third to fourth round
Bottom Line
Bryant projects as a solid role player at the next level. His long arm length allows him to engage blockers before they engage him, and he has the speed to win off the edge. On top of that, he’s capable of setting the edge against runs and chasing down plays from behind. While he’s not a double-digit sack guy, he’s capable of getting to the quarterback with his speed and ability to come off the edge at a low angle.
If Bryant is to succeed in the NFL, he’ll need to add on more strength. While speed will always be the name of his game, his ability to play the run could be compromised at his current playing strength. He’s occasionally late to react to the snap and his collegiate production was artificially inflated due to the surrounding talent on Clemson’s defensive line.
Bryant will probably never be a full 16-game starter, but he has the tools to last in the NFL as a rotational defensive end. Anyone expecting superstar production out of Bryant will be disappointed, but he’s a good depth option capable of serving as a teams’ top edge option off the bench.
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