Unpacking Future Packers: No. 36, LSU DE Bradyn Swinson
The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects who the Green Bay Packers could select in the 2025 NFL draft.
During Jeff Hafley's first season as defensive coordinator for the Green Bay Packers, the pass rush did disappearing acts in big games far too often.
The Packers dismissed defensive line coach Jason Rebrovich and replaced him with DeMarcus Covington, who spent this past season as the defensive coordinator for the New England Patriots.
Brian Gutekunst made it crystal clear during the NFL Scouting Combine that they need the defensive line to create more consistent chaos if they are going to get to where they want to go.
"We need to affect the quarterback more in our front four, with just four players," Gutekunst said. "I'm excited about the guys we have in the room, we'll see if we add to it, but that's gotta get better if we're going to accomplish our goals we want to accomplish in this season."
A player that would bring instant juice to Green Bay's pass rush is Bradyn Swinson. The LSU edge rusher checks in at No. 36 in the Unpacking Future Packers Countdown.
A three-star recruit out of Georgia, Swinson started his collegiate career with the Oregon Ducks before transferring to LSU in 2023. During his first season with the Tigers, he recorded 6.5 tackles for loss and two sacks. This past season, Swinson recorded 58 tackles, 13 tackles for loss and 8.5 sacks.
"Swinson was LSU's best pass rusher this past season," Koki Riley, the LSU report for The Advocate and Nola.com, said. "He improved his ability to set the edge in the run game and posted career highs in tackles, tackles for loss and sacks. He plays with a high motor and has a very big and fun personality."
At 6-4, 255 pounds and nearly 34-inch arms, Swinson is well-put together. The Oregon transfer has an explosive first step and has quick upfield acceleration. He's bendy and runs the arc with speed, using his long strides to quickly close on the quarterback. He keeps leveling up as a hands fighter to keep himself clean and he's close to getting his black belt. He does a good job of converting speed to power. To go along with his 8.5 sacks, Swinson recorded 60 pressures this past season.
"He's a bendy and athletic pass rusher who dramatically increased his production on the field since transferring to LSU from Oregon," Riley said. "He had just three sacks in two seasons with the Ducks."
Swinson plays with a revved-up motor and that's evident as a backside defender when he's able to chase down ball carriers with his effort and outstanding closing speed. He has the lateral quickness to sidestep blockers and make plays behind the line of scrimmage. He's combative at the point of attack and has gotten better each season at setting the edge. This past season he recorded a career-high 31 run stops.
"Swinson was productive in his first season at LSU, but almost strictly as a pass rusher," Riley said. "He didn't play on every down and shared reps at the Jack position with Texas transfer Ovie Oghoufo. Oghoufo was the veteran LSU turned to in order to stop the run. Swinson's role was to affect the quarterback on passing downs. Once Oghoufo departed after last year, Swinson took on a bigger role and proved that he could be a strong anchor against the run."
Fit with the Packers
Green Bay's pass rush could use a different flavor. With Opening Day right around the corner let's use a baseball reference. Right now that room is filled with starting pitchers who pitch to contact. What that room needs is a flamethrower. Somebody with some juice.
Enter Swinson. The LSU defensive end would bring instant juice to Green Bay's pass rush. While he may not have the first-step quickness of Clay Matthews, he gets upfield quickly to challenge offensive tackles.
"At the next level, Swinson would provide quality depth to any edge rushing unit, thanks to his pass-rushing capabilities, athleticism and improved play as a run stopper," Riley said. "His joyous personality should only help a team's locker room as well."
The obvious hope for Green Bay's pass rush is Gary bounces back and Van Nesse enjoys a breakout during his third year in the league. Even if those things happen, the Packers could stand to add a player like Swinson who would offer a different look to help keep offensive tackles off balance.
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