Hogs Haven takes a look at 2024 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Commanders
Braiden McGregor, DE
School: Michigan | Conference: Big Ten
College Experience: Senior | Age: 22
Height / Weight: 6’5” / 257 lbs
Projected Draft Status: Rounds 5-7
Player Comparison: Isaiah Thomas
College Statistics
| Tackles | Def Int | Fumbles | |||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | School | Conf | Class | Pos | G | Solo | Ast | Tot | Loss | Sk | Int | Yds | Avg | TD | PD | FR | Yds | TD | FF |
| 2020 | Michigan | Big Ten | FR | DL | |||||||||||||||
| *2021 | Michigan | Big Ten | SO | DL | 4 | 4 | 1 | 5 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| *2022 | Michigan | Big Ten | JR | 14 | 9 | 8 | 17 | 5.0 | 2.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| *2023 | Michigan | Big Ten | SR | DE | 15 | 13 | 13 | 26 | 9.0 | 4.5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |
| Career | Michigan | 26 | 22 | 48 | 15.0 | 7.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | |||||
Player Overview
A four-star prospect as a tight end and defensive end, Michigan native Braiden McGregor didn’t have to go far to play college football. Many saw McGregor as the heir to Aiden Hutchinson, but a torn PCL, MCL, and meniscus saw him miss all of his freshman year in 2020 and he only played 71 snaps in 2021. Fully recovered in 2022, McGregor would play in all 14 games as a rotational player. He made a modest impact, but there were flashes of what many hoped he would be. He returned for his senior season in 2023 and started all 15 games for the Wolverines, rotating edge duties with Derrick Moore. Not only did McGregor become a national champion, but he had his best season and received honorable mention for the All-Big Ten team. Unfortunately, a high-ankle sprain suffered at the Senior Bowl kept McGregor from completing any drill work at the combine.
Strengths
- Size for the position is ideal
- Heavy hands jolt blockers
- Converts speed to power with success
- Times hands well to swipe away blockers
- Fast around the corner with closing burst
- High motor player
Weaknesses
- Can struggle to disengage from blocks
- Needs to add more pass rush moves to his arsenal
- Lacks ability to bend around the edge
- Underwhelming production
- Significant injuries early in career
Let’s See His Work
Braiden McGregor is #17 and rotates off the field on several snaps in the games below
CSU 2nd down & 8
Braiden McGregor comes screaming off the right edge and pressures the QB into a bad read. Excellent quickness & use of hands. Great to see that.
Safety Rod Moore gets his first career interception!!! And a heck of a return: 37 yards to the 13. pic.twitter.com/3r7Qox8x0r
— Due# (@JDue51) September 4, 2022
Michigan edge rusher Braiden McGregor told reporters he met with the Commanders in Indy.
— Sam Fortier (@Sam4TR) March 1, 2024
Braiden McGregor is a DE prospect in the 2024 draft class. He does not qualify for a #RAS due to a lack of measurements.
Splits projectedhttps://t.co/G1Gu2vXCMk pic.twitter.com/mabTkzsiS0
— Kent Lee Platte (@MathBomb) March 1, 2024
How He Fits on the Commanders
Braiden McGregor has appealing traits that make him an excellent candidate to be a developmental rusher for the Commanders. He has the ideal size, strength, closing speed, and a high motor. There is still a lot he needs to work on like developing more pass rushing moves and knowing when to use them, playing with good technique to keep blockers off him, and disengaging when blockers get their hands on him. Those are things that can be improved with coaching and strength training. I don’t think he’ll ever be a bendy rusher, but there are players that have success with that element in their game. Even if he never develops into a starter, McGregor could provide quality depth at the position.