Bryan may be a bit raw as a football player, he has rare athletic traits. Is he the type of player the Patriots might invest in early in the draft?

Background

• From Casper, Wyoming.
• Known as a humble, hard working guy. Comes from down to earth, blue collar, supportive family. Father was former Navy Seal. Tavon would regularly go to work w/ his father before school.
• Wants to be coached & taught. Nicknamed “Wyoming Wildman” by his DL coach.
• Loves playing football. Isn’t obsessed w/ it in terms of watching it on Sundays, stats etc.

Strengths

• Pass Rush, Flexibility & Quicks – Natural Strength that moves & sheds defenders. Great 1st step. Explosive at times. Very tough 1 on 1 & that’s where you want him. Brings heavy, quick hands that stun OL’m underneath their pads. Push/Pull-Bull Snatch & Rush. Hump move. Sudden w/ good quicks off the line. Hits OL’m expecting power w/ Club & Slide. Can get skinny to shoot & knife through gaps. Cross face. Surprising flexibility & bend for a man that size. Will bend around/under G’s. Big Upside.
• Run Defense – At times does a good job of setting the edge, standing his ground inside & let his backers get the glory. Quicks, motor & strength will get him in the backfield for TFL. Will chase RB’s around & doen the line. Has the chase & pursuit of a LB. Tons of potential once the game slows down & he plays w/ proper technique.
• Motor – doesn’t stop. High energy player that doesn’t stop. Will make plays downfield, across the field. Wants to set the tone & fire the team up w/ a big play.
• Versatility – Offers a ton of scheme versatility. 34/43, Under/Over. As long as he’s attacking it doesn’t matter.
• Definition of disruption. Will look to swat down pass if he can’t get to the QB. Very good closing speed to finish. Good lateral movement to slide by OL’m. Huge upside.

Concerns

• Has to be more committed to having inside hands. Too often he gets moved out of plays w/ good technique trying to out muscle guys.
• Lack of Production
• Keep eyes & head moving.Gets too high after initial contact & loses the leverage game.

Summary

Bryan has drawn comparisons from J.J. Watt & Michael Bennett. Strange considering his lack of production but that’s not why you draft him. Your drafting Bryan because of his traits, versatility & motor. All are real. If he improves in a few areas he could be that pro bowl player. Today’s game is about one thing, match ups. Matching Bryan up against slower OL’man along the line is his game. You want to move him around & let him loose.

NFL Comp

Cross between Justin Smith & Michael Bennett.

Traits That Translate

Here are some clips that show off Bryan’s upside & versatility

This is fantastic from Bryan. Nice get off and quickly establishes inside hands with proper pad level. Quick stack/shed and finds the ball. Really nice play pic.twitter.com/LZ25xlDEer

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 31, 2018

I repeat backside 3Ts aren't supposed to make this play pic.twitter.com/WObNRm6xYV

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018

When Tavon Bryan plays with the proper technique against the run instead of bursting upfield with reckless abandon, he shows some freaky stuff.

Backside 3T don't typically sniff these plays pic.twitter.com/MEhMzgE1dh

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 4, 2018

Don't know many DT's who can corner and flatten like that. TB uses the rip move as his primary means of attack. Needs to do a better job of not getting widened on contact. pic.twitter.com/fEDYG47GY3

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018

Like that Taven Bryan flashes a counter spin. Feels the leverage of the OL and spins into the open space. Nice pocket movement from the QB prevents the sack pic.twitter.com/MKTiVI0t7D

— John Owning (@JohnOwning) January 16, 2018

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