FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. – The Atlanta Falcons have selected outside linebacker Bralin Trice from Washington with the 74th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. Learn more about the Falcons' third-round pick as of Friday:
Statistics 2023: 15 games, 15 starts | 49 tackles, 11.5 losses, seven sacks | Two passes were intercepted, one forced fumble
Honours: Second Team All-American and First Team All-Pac-12 in 2022 | He led Washington in sacks (nine, seven) and tackles for loss (12, 11.5) in 2022 and 2023 | Third-team All-American, first-team All-Pac-12 and CFP Defensive Player of the Year semifinalist in 2023
Tori McElhaney analysis:Did the Falcons need an edge rusher? They've got a rushing edge. Well, technically, he'll be an outside linebacker for the Falcons. Regardless, Washington's pass rushing makes sense at 74th overall.
Trice has been the Huskies' leading pass rusher over the past two seasons, totaling 16 sacks in that span. More than just sacks, though, Trice consistently and consistently got a quarterback out of his place. He finished No. 1 in the FBS in pressures in 2022 (70) and 2023 (78). If Trice can put an NFL quarterback in a tough spot, there will likely be someone else there to clean it up.
According to Dane Brugler's draft guide at The Athletic, Trice's teammates called him “The Enforcer” for his reliability and durability. He has played in every game the past three seasons.
It may be a small connection, but the connection between Trice and the Falcons nonetheless is defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake. Leake was the Huskies' defensive coordinator in 2018-19. 2019 was the year Trice redshirted. For Lake and Trice, this could be a reunion of sorts after their first meeting on the recruiting trail in years.
At heart, Trice is aggressive and destructive, which is exactly what the Falcons need at this position.
“Student. Incurable problem solver. Amateur baconaholic. Introvert. Infuriatingly humble music fanatic.”