The New Orleans Saints missed out on prized free agent DT Ndamukong Suh and could be looking to address the interior of their defensive line before the start of the 2018 regular season. There are names like Johnathan Hankins still available in free agency, but if the Saints would prefer a cheaper option, they could look to fill that void in the 2018 NFL Draft. One possible name they could look at would be Florida’s Taven Bryan.

Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

• Age: 22 years old
• Height: 6’4
• Weight: 291 lbs
• Arms: 32 3/4”
• Hands: 9 3/4”
• Bench Press: 30 reps
• 40 yard: 4.98 secs
• Vertical: 35”
• Broad: 119”
• 3-cone drill: 7.12 sec
• 20-yard shuffle: 4.48 secs

Analysis:

(per NFL.com)

Talented defender with rare athletic ability and play traits. Bryan’s lack of production is due to a lack of instincts and feel for the position and he’s still in a developmental phase as a prospect. Bryan played inside at Florida but has the size and talent to play inside or outside. His instincts and feel are below average so his development could take time, but when he is a finished product, Bryan has the ability to become a disruptive, highly productive talent with a very high ceiling.

Highlights:

Bottom line:

(per Pro Football Focus draft guide)

Bryan has the kind of first step that GMs will fall in love with – especially in a light defensive line class. It’s concerning though that Florida let Bryan explode off the line of scrimmage consistently and he still wasn’t anything special production-wise. He’s a project in a number of ways, but his flashes suggest he could someday put it all together.