A university finalist, the pass rusher with unfailing determination has good arguments to become one of the best pass rushers in the league.
Bralen Trice – Edge Rusher – 23 years old – RS Junior – Washington
Height: 1.94m
Weight: 111 kg
2023 stats: 15 games, 49 tackles, 7 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 covered fumble, 2 deflected passes
Estimated position in the draft: End 1st – Start 2nd round
NFL Comparison: Frank Clark
Washington shined with its offense last season. But, it is often said, it is the defenses that win. The Huskies' defensive line has been personified these last 2 seasons by a player who did not have a very high rating before his arrival.
Bralen Trice is a player who truly began his college career in 2021. 34 games and 18 sacks later, he is a candidate for a spot in the first round. Can he follow in the footsteps of his former university teammate Joe Tryon (EDGE, Buccaneers), selected last place in the first round in 2021?
Bralen Trice's strong points
- Pass rush directory
- Hand activity
- Power
Bralen Trice has a specialty: the pass rush. Inside, outside, he has this ability to lean forward (bend) to get around his opponent. Its use at the hip level is often quite disconcerting. But he doesn't only have this quality in his very extensive arsenal of movements.
His other quality is his use of hands. Very technical, he can gain the advantage just with the initial placement of his hands. If the offensive lineman is messy on the block, the defender can arrive very quickly at the second level to put pressure on the ball carrier.
Large and physical in his morphology, Bralen Trice can release power upon contact that can be devastating for his opponent. His upper body work is on point. By tweaking him a little more, he can be a formidable pass rusher.
Bralen Trice's weak points
- Finishing at the tackle
- Athletic qualities
- Disengagement technique
If the opposing game is a running game, Bralen Trice could often be caught short. Possessing a good wingspan for the position, he throws himself into space too often. As a result, his timing when it comes to tackles is often late. To sack the quarterback, no problem. On the other hand, to stop the runner, he will have to improve his finishing and timing in this area. His tendency is sometimes to dive more on the player than to tackle.
Physically and in terms of power, Bralen Trice has everything you need. Athletically, it's more complicated. He's not polished yet, and his NFL Combine confirmed it. At the professional level, he will have to make big progress otherwise he will quickly be on the sidelines. His responsiveness to the snap is not in question. On the other hand, he will have to show liveliness and improve his fluidity in movements, which could limit his repertoire.
If his activity in the hands is not called into question, his technique is more than messy. Against more technical offensive linemen, it's not his activity that will make the difference. It's up to him to work in this area so as not to be a one-dimensional player.
Possible destinations
Carolina Panthers, New England Patriots, Detroit Lions, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Commanders.
The team that selects Trice will have a player on the rise. Still raw, she will have to be patient in the rotation, before being able to develop him as a solid starter.
Bralen Trice will be better suited in a 4-3 defensive scheme as an edge rusher thanks to his power and physicality. In a 3-4 scheme as an outside linebacker, his lack of speed and athleticism will perhaps limit his potential. It would therefore be more judicious to put it on a line of 3 instead (front 3) near the line of scrimmage in this diagram.
The Lions and Commanders are two teams in need of a pass rusher. The Michigan franchise could have a Hutchison – Trice duo that is more than intriguing. The Commanders will have to replace the Sweat – Young duo who left during the last trade deadline.
Using more of a 3-4 scheme, the Panthers, Patriots and Cardinals will be able to use Bralen Trice as a player who can disrupt the protection pocket. With a long-term goal of developing him into a pass rusher profile starting from the inside.
