The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have just two days left in their 2024 offseason training program. They are almost done with their rookie contract work, as well.
On Wednesday, as the Buccaneers' offseason-capping three-day minicamp continued, outside linebacker Chris Braswell signed his initial NFL contract. Braswell, who had eight sacks in his senior season at Alabama in 2023, was Tampa Bay's second-round pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, taken 57th overall.
Like all players drafted after the first round, Braswell received a four-year deal. The only member of the Buccaneers' 2024 draft class who has yet to sign his rookie deal is first-round center Graham Barton, as the team previously got contracts done for third-round safety Tykee Smith, third-round wide receiver Jalen McMillan, fourth-round running back Bucky Irving, sixth-round guard Elijah Klein and seventh-round tight end Devin Culp.
Braswell figures to feature prominently in the Bucs' edge rush rotation as a rookie and could factor into the competition for the starting spot opposite outside linebacker Yaya Diaby. In fact, the Buccaneers hope that Braswell can have a similar impact to the one forged by Diaby, a third-round pick in 2023 who earned a starting job by the midpoint of his rookie campaign and led the team with 7.5 sacks.
"When the shoulder pads come on, we'll see, but he's very tough, he's very steady, he has a very strong lower body," said Head Coach Todd Bowles after Tuesday's minicamp practice. "He has semblances of Yaya from last year, as far as raw strength. We'll see when the pads come on how that translates, but I like what I see so far."
