IT’S DRAFT SEASON AND WHETHER IT’S THAT EARLY-ROUND STUD OR THAT LATE-ROUND GEM, EVERYONE IS SEARCHING FOR THE NEXT STAR.
Career Stats
Oregon Ducks (2016-2020)
- Games Played 38, Games Started 4, Tackles 95, Solos 65, 3 interceptions, 8 PBUs, Forced Fumbles 1, Fumble Recoveries 4
Awards
- 2020 Rose Bowl MVP, 2020 USA Today All-Bowl Team, 2020 1st team Pac-12 All-Conference, 1X Pac-12 Defensive Player of the Week, 2X Pac-12 All-Academic honorable mention (2017,2018)
Pre-Draft Overview
Brady Breeze was born in Lake Oswego, Oregon, began his career with South Medford High School, and then transferred to Central Catholic High School, where he became a four-star recruit. Earned second-team all-conference honors as a sophomore at South Medford High School while recording 79 tackles and five interceptions before transferring to Central Catholic prior to his junior season.
As a junior, he produced 42 tackles and three interceptions. As a senior, Breeze helped lead Central Catholic High School to an 8-3 record his senior year, a pair of Mt. Hood Conference titles, and the Oregon 6A state championship in 2014. Breeze recorded 58 tackles (31 unassisted), two fumble recoveries, and one interception.
He was a two-time first-team all-state defensive back (The Oregonian) and back-to-back Mt. Hood Conference Defensive Player of the Year. He was also named a PrepStar All-American and finished as the 2nd ranked player in Oregon and the 288th overall recruit in the 247Sports composite rating.
Breeze redshirted his first year with Oregon. As a redshirt freshman Breeze played in eleven games and tallied 23 tackles, 15 solos, and one interception. For his sophomore campaign, he would play in all 13 games mostly as a special teams player. He recorded ten tackles, with seven being solo. Breeze had his breakout as a junior, where he played in all 14 games making four starts.
In those contests, he registered 62 tackles, 43 solos, two interceptions, five PBUs, one forced fumble, and four fumble recoveries. Breeze saved his best performances of his career for the last two games as a Duck. In the Pac-12 Championship and Rose Bowl, he led the team in tackles with 20, with 15 solos, one interception, two PBUs, one forced fumble, and one recovery returned for a touchdown.
Breeze would win Defensive MVP honors for his efforts in leading the Ducks to a Rose Bowl Win. He would opt out of the 2020 season.
Strengths
Breeze has some NFL bloodlines as he is the nephew of former NFL safety Chad Cota. A solid all-around defender who plays aggressively when attacking the run and has a very good feel and instincts when playing against the pass. Breeze plays with a high motor and has a nose for the ball.
With his terrific ball tracking and catching skills, he’s an opportunistic player that will take advantage of turnover situations. Has the versatility and skill to play effectively in any scheme, but is at his best as a boundary safety. Breeze does a very good job of not leading with his head, instead squares up and makes solid form tackles.
He plays with physicality and will lower the boom when he gets the squared-up shot. Breeze is an impact player as he became one of only eight FBS players since 2000 with two fumble returns for touchdowns and an interception return for a touchdown in the same season.
Weaknesses
A little small as an in-the-box defender and only has one year of experience as a starter. He would have benefitted by coming back for another season with the Ducks and gaining more starting experience and improving his draft stock.
Breeze doesn’t have the adequate long speed or short area explosion needed for a starting NFL safety. His athleticism needs some work and he has worked on that down in Arizona, with some NFL workouts. Breeze will benefit from good NFL coaching, where they can mold improve, and polish his game into a quality NFL safety. He shows good tackling form but needs to become more consistent when wrapping up.
Analysis
Breeze will be a key special teams player and a solid option at the safety position who will be capable of being a starter. He is a player that will need really good talent around him in order for him to capitalize on his big-play abilities. He has a nose for the ball and that will be attractive to teams in need of a playmaker. Breeze will provide a solid floor value with his work ethic and non-stop effort.
With his versatility to play either of the safety positions will be a big box checked for him. Breeze will likely be a day three (5th-7th round) draft selection and make a nice addition for any team that drafts him. Â
Fantasy Impact
The fantasy value for Breeze will depend a lot on his landing spot. I know this can be said about all players, but if Breeze lands on a team that has some really good talent around him, he can be a really valuable fantasy option. I see his ceiling being a low-end S2 option if he gets the opportunity to start.
Breeze will produce average tackles numbers but it’s his big-play abilities that makes him worth a gamble. I wouldn’t expect a lot from him in his first two years but year three is where I would expect to see him produce. With that said fantasy managers need to be patient and stash him on their benches or taxi squads.
Fantasy Draft Projection: 7th round or later
Fantasy Scoring Projection: S2
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