The Cleveland Browns gave Bradyn Swinson another NFL opportunity on Friday, October 16, hosting the former New England Patriots draft pick for a workout. For a player who has already been waived, promoted and later cut by New England, it was a reminder that roster conversations can open up again quickly.
Swinson entered the league after a productive final season at LSU, where he left college with a strong pass-rush reputation. That production helped make him a fifth-round selection in the 2025 NFL draft, when New England took him with the No. 146 overall pick. Even after a difficult start to his professional career, he has stayed in the frame for another NFL chance.
Why Swinson still has a case
The appeal is easy to see. Swinson started at Oregon before transferring to LSU for his final two seasons, and he finished his senior year by leading the Tigers with 13.5 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks and 12 quarterback hurries. LSU described him as “nearly unblockable” as a senior, and that kind of production usually keeps a player on the radar even after setbacks.
There is also a clear development story. At the end of the 2025 preseason, the Patriots waived Swinson and later brought him back on the practice squad. He was then promoted to the active roster and appeared in three regular-season games before remaining with New England into his second offseason, only to miss out when final roster cuts came around in 2026.
What the Browns are looking at
A workout does not guarantee anything, but it does show that Swinson is still being evaluated as a possible roster piece. The Browns hosted seven players on Friday, and Swinson was one of them, which suggests he remains in the wider pool of players teams want to see up close.
New England coach Mike Vrabel said of Swinson: “He’s worked hard. He’s improved.” He also noted that Swinson had been working in the weight room, changing his body, getting stronger, learning special teams and doing a good job there. That matters, because teams are not only looking for pass rush talent — they also want players who can earn trust in multiple areas.
Kevin Peoples offered the simplest view of Swinson’s value: “You’re getting a guy that has pass rush ability, ability to get to the quarterback.” That is the basic selling point, and it is the reason a player can survive setbacks and still get another look.
For Swinson, the Browns workout is not the end of the story. It is another chance to show that his LSU production and early NFL experience still translate. In a league where roster spots are constantly in motion, one strong impression can be enough to keep the door open.
