The Tampa Bay Buccaneers significantly revamped their pass rush this offseason through free agency and the NFL Draft.
The Buccaneers signed Al-Quadin Muhammad following an 11-sack season with the Detroit Lions in 2025. They doubled down by drafting Rueben Bain Jr., who led college football in pressures last season.
The upgraded outside linebacker room has put former second-round pick Chris Braswell on the roster bubble, and Tampa Bay might have the perfect opportunity to trade him.
Buccaneers can capitalize on 49ers’ pass rush need in Chris Braswell trade
Last season, the San Francisco 49ers finished dead last in sacks, recording only 20 sacks all season long. They were one of only two teams to finish below 30 sacks. The Bucs, in comparison, finished with 37 total sacks.
Both of San Francisco’s starting edge rushers, Nick Bosa and Mykel Williams, are coming off torn ACLs suffered last season. The 49ers spent a third-round pick on defensive end Romello Height, but an elbow issue has kept the rookie sidelined during training camp.
The 49ers' pass rush continues to be a major weakness, and for a team with Super Bowl aspirations, that’s a hole that can’t go unaddressed.
That’s where Chris Braswell enters the equation as a potential low-risk, high-reward addition to the rotation.
Through two seasons, the former second-round pick has yet to meet expectations in Tampa Bay. He’s recorded just 2.5 sacks in his career and could have trouble making the Buccaneers’ roster in 2026 after the team bolstered its outside linebacker depth.
Still, entering the season at just 24 years old, there’s plenty of potential left to unlock. Braswell led the SEC in pressures in 2023, and as a prospect, was described by NFL Draft expert Dane Brugler as a high-effort, aggressive player with starting potential.
It wouldn’t cost much for the 49ers to acquire Braswell and add some young upside to their pass rush. A seventh-round pick or a late-round pick swap would likely get the job done.
Based on his production to this point, Braswell certainly wouldn’t be a savior in San Francisco or transform their pass rush overnight. But given how abysmal the 49ers have been at getting after opposing quarterbacks, it could be worth taking a flier.
Braswell could benefit from learning from veteran Nick Bosa and playing under defensive coordinator Raheem Morris, the former Buccaneers head coach.
Tampa Bay, meanwhile, could at least get something in return for a former second-round pick who hasn’t lived up to expectations. A trade would give Braswell a fresh start while giving San Francisco a young player with upside at their biggest position of need. Everybody wins.
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