Bradyn Swinson’s rookie season was an eye-opening experience.
The fifth-round pick acknowledged he did not take things seriously enough, which led to him being cut at the end of training camp. After re-signing with the Patriots practice squad, he signed to the active roster in November but played in just three games — logging 27 defensive snaps — before being inactive throughout the playoffs.
That led Swinson to attack the offseason with the goal of making a Year 2 jump, which began with changing his
diet after conversations with head coach Mike Vrabel and team nutritionist Ted Harper.
“I lost a ton of weight,” Swinson said. “Really just understanding the business side of everything, just losing weight, staying on my diet, and just focusing on the stuff that they want me to get better at.”
Gone are the days of Swinson snacking and eating fast food, Fruit Roll-Ups, Gushers and other candy. Instead, Swinson embraced a healthier diet with more vegetables, even surprising himself by eating plantains.
“I never thought I’d eat plantains,” he joked. “You got to sacrifice if you want to be great in this league.”
After playing at around 270 pounds as a rookie, Swinson reported to training camp at 255 pounds. So far, he has noticed the difference.
“I’m a lot stronger, and I like looking in the mirror now,” he said. “It’s good to look in the mirror when you got a couple of abs right there. But everything is going well. Just my overall speed of the game and just understanding the game and the overall power that I have behind myself now. We don’t have pads on now, but I’m looking forward to that.”
In his final season at LSU, Swinson was one of the most productive pass rushers in college football, recording 60 pressures and 8.5 sacks. The talent has always been there for the 24-year-old. Now, the opportunity may be there as well in a Patriots edge group searching for someone to emerge alongside veteran Dre’Mont Jones.
Swinson, who has already earned praise from the coaching staff throughout the offseason for his work, believes he is ready to capitalize on his opportunity.
“Being ready for when the opportunity arises,” Swinson said. “Just always being prepared. It doesn’t matter who’s there, and who’s not. It’s more about what you’re going to do. I’m already focused on what I need to do. We got a great group of guys, a lot of guys that are hungry. I’m hungry, as well.”
