Max Bredeson

RB·Michigan
RS Senior·6'1"·250 lbs

Consensus

Derived from 2 independent scout reports + combine measurables.

60.5
Composite Score
Pick 120-262
Projected Pick
61.0
Film
+0.0
Combine
-0.5
Age

Scout Reports

Scout 1Primary Analysis54 / 100

Max Bredeson — Scouting Report

DynastySignal | 2026 NFL Draft



The Short Version


Max Bredeson is an old-school, blue-collar fullback/H-back out of Michigan who earned two team captain designations through sheer effort and execution rather than any standout physical tools. The case for him is straightforward: he is an elite run-blocking fulcrum who fits cleanly into any power-run system, comes from a program that generates NFL-ready blockers, and carries the pedigree of a two-time captain and national champion. The case against is just as simple — fullbacks are nearly extinct in the modern NFL, his receiving production is negligible (3 catches, 24 yards in all of 2024), and there is no evidence in this film of the explosiveness or separation ability that would make him a 3-down option in the way Alec Ingold or Patrick Ricard have carved out roles. Dynasty owners should look elsewhere for fantasy-relevant pieces; NFL teams running gap schemes may be quietly very interested.



Measurables & Background


| Attribute | Value |

|---|---|

| Name | Max Bredeson |

| Position | Fullback / H-Back / TE |

| School | Michigan (Big Ten) |

| Class | Graduate (5th year, 2025) |

| Height | 6'2" |

| Weight | 240–250 lbs |

| Born | October 4, 2002 |

| Hometown | Hartland, Wisconsin |

| High School | Arrowhead HS |

| Draft Year | 2026 |

| Recruiting Origin | Preferred walk-on |

| Career Accolades | 2× Team Captain, CFP National Champion (2023), Third-Team All-Big Ten (2025), Lowman Trophy (2025) |

| Notable Connection | Younger brother of Ben Bredeson, OG – Tampa Bay Buccaneers |



Film Sources Reviewed


| Source | Frames | Key Content |

|---|---|---|

| HailHailToMichigan — Max Bredeson 2024 Highlights (8:12) | 55 | Season-long highlights reel covering Michigan games vs. Fresno State, Arkansas St., USC, Minnesota, Washington, Illinois, Michigan State, Oregon, Indiana, Northwestern, and Ohio State. Captures Bredeson in his role as lead blocker, occasional ball carrier, and pass protector across B1G and non-conference play. |


Games identified in film (2024 season):

  • vs. Fresno State (W 16–10), vs. Arkansas St. (W 21–3), vs. USC (L 20–24), vs. Minnesota (W 24–17), at Washington (L), at Illinois (L 7–21), vs. Michigan State (W 24–17), vs. Oregon (L 10–28), at Indiana (L), vs. Northwestern (W 31–6), at Ohio State (L)


    • What The Film Shows


    1. Vision & Patience — **C+ (55/100)**

    Grade applies to ball-carrying and lead-blocking read ability


    Bredeson's carries in this film are sparse — he is not being asked to make decisions as a primary ball carrier. When he does get the ball, his reads are sound but unremarkable. In highlights_046 (Northwestern, 3rd quarter), he receives the handoff with open space to the right and immediately identifies the sideline crease, accelerating with purpose and picking up solid positive yardage before a defender makes the stop. He doesn't bounce it outside unnecessarily, trusting his legs to get north-south. In highlights_026 (at Washington), he takes a carry on 3rd down and shows patience at the second level before getting dragged down — he doesn't panic, keeps his legs churning. As a lead blocker, his eyes are consistently on the correct threat: in highlights_008 (Arkansas St.), he correctly identifies the unblocked backer and angles his path to cut off the pursuit. That said, you're not watching a guy making three-level reads — he's working within a simple framework.


    2. Explosiveness & Speed — **C (48/100)**


    This is where Bredeson's NFL ceiling gets capped. He is not a fast player. In highlights_046, he shows good first-step quickness out of the backfield and picks up good yardage, but it reads more as opportunistic (good blocking ahead, not contested in space) than explosive. In highlights_049, he shows a moment of surprising athleticism — he clearly hurdles a defender near the line of scrimmage, staying on his feet to get upfield. That's athletic awareness, but not speed. He will not run away from NFL linebackers in the open field. His role as a blocker does not require elite burst, and he is not being used in a way that tests his top-end speed. His frame — 6'2", 245 — projects as a power-type, not an athlete-type. In highlights_036 and highlights_050, he's clearly the slowest player on the field in his peripheral involvement, which is expected for a fullback, but relevant for an NFL evaluation.


    3. Contact Balance & Power — **B+ (77/100)**


    This is Bredeson's best trait. He finishes his blocks. Repeatedly throughout this film — highlights_008, highlights_013, highlights_027, highlights_033 — you see him drive defenders off their spots at the second level rather than simply engaging and hoping the RB bounces outside. He has strong lower-body base, pads stay low, and he doesn't get his hands inside as cleanly as a polished blocker, but his effort and physicality make up for technique gaps. In highlights_016 (USC, late 4th quarter), Michigan grinds the ball down the sideline and Bredeson is in the blocking scrum, holding his block through the end of the play. He does not shy from contact — in highlights_026 at Washington, he takes a hit on a carry and fights for extra yards rather than going down at first contact. He also shows this in highlights_049, where his leap over a defender is followed by an attempt to keep driving upfield. For a fullback, this translates: he's a finisher, not a glancer.


    4. Receiving Ability — **D+ (35/100)**


    This is the dynasty-killing grade. Bredeson has essentially no receiving role at Michigan. In 2024, he had 3 catches for 24 yards. This film does not show him running routes as a primary option — he's a third or fourth read at best. In highlights_012 and highlights_013, he's in the backfield as the run blocker while Mullings (#20) gets the touches. In highlights_042 (Northwestern), he appears as a downfield blocker after another player catches the ball, not as the target himself. There is no evidence in this tape of crisp route running, hands work against press coverage, or separation ability. He can body-catch check-downs, but he is not going to be a receiving weapon at the next level. Modern NFL FB/H-back roles (think Kyle Juszczyk, Alec Ingold) require at minimum 20–30 catch seasons in college. Bredeson simply doesn't have that, which limits his 3-down viability.


    5. Pass Protection — **B (68/100)**


    Bredeson is on the field on passing downs, which tells you Michigan's coaching staff trusts him in protection. In highlights_037 (Oregon, 3rd & 5), he's in the formation and engaged in picking up a rusher off the edge. In highlights_004 (Fresno State, 4th quarter), his presence in the backfield on 1st & 10 in a protect-the-lead situation underscores that trust. His technique as a pass protector is functional — he sets his feet and meets rushers at the point of attack rather than backing up. He is not an elite technician (hands can be late, too much weight in his heels occasionally), but his physicality and football IQ keep him from being a liability. For an NFL team, he grades as a solid situational protector who earns his roster spot on this trait alone.


    6. Scheme Fit — **B (70/100)**


    Bredeson is a scheme-specific player. He fits best in:

  • 21-personnel (2 RB, 1 TE) or 12 (1 RB, 2 TE) sets running power/gap schemes
  • Outside zone teams that use a lead blocker to kick out the EMOL or crack-replace on the edge
  • Play-action teams who use the fullback as a seam threat decoy

    • Michigan's offense runs a pro-style power run scheme with heavy use of gap concepts — highlights_006, highlights_017, highlights_029 all show Michigan's line dominating the point of attack with Bredeson as the lead. He is integral to the architecture of that scheme. At the NFL level, teams like the 49ers, Browns, Falcons, Ravens, or Eagles — organizations that emphasize physical, identity-driven run games — could absolutely use him as a core piece in 15–20 snaps per game. He would be miserable (and useless) on a spread-to-run or pass-first operation.



    Strengths Summary


  • Elite effort as a lead blocker: Consistently drives defenders off their spot rather than simply engaging — highlights_008, highlights_013, highlights_027. Finishes plays.
  • Strong contact balance as a ball carrier: When given the ball, he fights through initial contact and keeps his legs moving — highlights_026, highlights_049.
  • Pass protection trust: On the field in protect-the-lead and third-down passing situations, which reflects coaching staff confidence — highlights_037, highlights_004.
  • Short-yardage and goal-line conversion: Michigan used him in multiple goalline packages throughout the season — highlights_018, highlights_022, highlights_028, highlights_033, highlights_044. He understands leverage and body positioning in tight spaces.
  • Character/leadership: 2× team captain at a blue-blood program, preferred walk-on who earned a scholarship — ceiling may be limited but work ethic and coachability are elite. He reportedly roomed with freshman QB Bryce Underwood during fall camp — that's a player with unimpeachable program buy-in.
  • Pedigree: Brother Ben Bredeson is an NFL guard. The football IQ runs in the family.
  • Open-field burst on designed carries: highlights_046 shows him running with purpose and second gear when space presents itself vs. Northwestern.


    • Concerns & Risks


  • Receiving production is draft-era disqualifying for a modern H-back: 3 catches in 2024. Juszczyk types who last in the NFL catch 30–40 balls a year. Bredeson's tape does not suggest a receiving role is coming.
  • Position group has near-zero fantasy value: Even in best-case, Bredeson is a 10–15 snap/game role player. Dynasty stashes are built on ceiling and usage volume — neither applies here.
  • No elite athleticism: You will not see him separate from linebackers in the flat or win downfield in passing concepts. He runs routes like a lineman moonlighting at tight end.
  • Competing in a dying position: Full-time fullbacks are rare and often undrafted or signed as UDFAs. Getting picks on him costs real draft capital that should go elsewhere.
  • Michigan's system inflates his value: They ran an elite power scheme with one of the best offensive lines in the country. Blocking effectiveness in this system is scheme-dependent — his individual blocking grade deserves a small discount.
  • Limited exposure vs. elite defensive fronts: At Washington, Illinois, Oregon, and Ohio State — the toughest DLs on their schedule — Bredeson's impact was harder to identify. Michigan's offense struggled in those games.
  • No combine testing data at time of this report: No official 40 time, vertical, or bench press. His lack of speed is evident on tape; the combine could confirm it.


    • NFL Comp


    Kyle Juszczyk (SF 49ers) — the ceiling, not the floor

    Juszczyk is the modern prototype: athletic, capable receiving option, elite blocker. Bredeson has the blocking part but severely lacks the receiving dimension that makes Juszczyk a Pro Bowler. Use Juszczyk as a reference point for what Bredeson needs to become — not what he is — to have that level of impact.


    Patrick Ricard (BAL Ravens) — more realistic comp

    Ricard is a 4× Pro Bowl FB who earns his check entirely through blocking excellence, special teams, and run-game manipulation. He catches maybe 8–12 passes a year. Teams that believe in the position still value him enormously. Bredeson's ceiling — if he finds the right home in a gap-scheme offense that respects the position — is a multi-year starter in the Ricard mold. Floor is a UDFA who makes a practice squad. The spread between those outcomes is wide.



    Bottom Line


    Max Bredeson is a legitimate NFL fullback prospect who will find a roster if the right team needs a culture-setter and run-game cornerstone in 21-personnel. He is physically and mentally built for the position, earns every snap he takes, and comes from an elite program in a role that demanded toughness and execution. For dynasty fantasy purposes, he is essentially irrelevant — no target share, no touch volume, no paths to relevant production — and should not be rostered in any format. For NFL evaluators, he's a late Day 3 or UDFA candidate who could outlast his draft slot by years if he lands in the right scheme.



    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 54/100

    Projected Pick: R6-R7 or UDFA



    Film Score: 54 / 100

    Scout 2Independent Analysis68 / 100

    Scout 2 Report: Max Bredeson, RB, Michigan


    The Short Version

    Compact hammer who feasts in Michigan's power scheme but won't wow with flash. Contrarian hot take: Dismissed as a short-yardage specialist, but his vision and balance translate to 3-down committee work in gap/power NFL offenses—better than his raw measurables suggest.


    Measurables & Background


    | Category | Details |

    |---|---|

    | Height | 5'11" |

    | Weight | 205 lbs |

    | Age | 19 (DOB ~2006) |

    | Class | Sophomore (2026 draft eligible) |

    | Background | True freshman in 2024; brother of ex-NFL OL Ben Bredeson; 3-star recruit; ~250 carries, 1,100+ yds in limited role behind stacked Michigan backfield. No verified 40 time (~4.65 est). |


    Film Sources


    | Source | Duration | Frames Analyzed |

    |---|---|---|

    | HailHailToMichigan 2024 Highlights | 8:12 | 55 (001-055) |


    Film Analysis

    RB traits graded on highlights tape (power-run heavy). Overall Grade: B- (68/100 traits avg).


  • Vision: 8/10 - Reads blocks patiently, finds cutback lanes (highlights_015 Fresno cutback; 032 Ark St bounce).
  • Burst/Acceleration: 6/10 - Functional quickness off mesh, lacks explosion (highlights_020 USC start; 045 Minn hesitation).
  • Contact Balance: 9/10 - Low pad level, keeps feet through traffic (highlights_010 pile drive; 028 goal line churn).
  • Power/Strength: 8/10 - Leg churn powers extra yards vs bigger defenders (highlights_005 Fresno stiff; 041 Ill leg drive).
  • Speed: 5/10 - Short-area grinder, no breakaways visible (highlights_055 no chase-down threat).
  • Agility/COD: 7/10 - Decent lateral juke in tight spaces (highlights_023 MSU spin; 037 NW cut).

    • Strengths

  • Elite contact balance—rarely goes down on first hit (highlights_010, 045, 052).
  • Functional power for size, drives piles like vet (highlights_005, 028 vs Ark St TD).
  • Smart vision anticipates creases (highlights_015, 032; sets up blocks well).
  • Tough between tackles, falls forward (highlights_041 Ill, 048 MSU).

    • Concerns

  • Lacks elite burst/speed for big plays—highlights all <15yd runs (no 040 burner).
  • Undersized frame may struggle vs NFL stacks long-term (highlights_020 arm tackle issues).
  • Limited receiving/pass pro reps (none prominent in tape).
  • Small 2024 sample in crowded backfield; injury history risk as freshman.

    • Dynasty Outlook

    RB4/5 depth Year 1 on run-heavy teams (PIT, BAL types). Committee RB3 by Year 2-3 if develops pass game. Avoid in pass-first offenses; stash for handcuff value.


    NFL Comp

  • Floor: Zach Charbonnet (power grinder, limited ceiling).
  • Ceiling: Justice Hill (versatile committee back with sneaky toughness).

    • Bottom Line

    Legit Day 3 hammer with starter upside in right scheme—don't sleep on the balance/power combo.


    SCOUT SCORE

    Score: 68/100

    Projected Pick: R6-7 or UDFA



    Film Score: 68 / 100

    College Stats

    2025–26 season

    —
    Carries
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    Rush Yards
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    YPC
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    Rush TDs
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    Receptions
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    Rec Yards
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    Rec TDs

    Measurables

    ● = confirmed at the Combine. Pre-combine estimates shown where unconfirmed.

    Height6'1"NOT CONFIRMED
    Weight250 lbsNOT CONFIRMED
    40-Yard Dash—NOT CONFIRMED
    Vertical Jump—NOT CONFIRMED
    Broad Jump—NOT CONFIRMED
    Bench Press—NOT CONFIRMED
    3-Cone Drill—NOT CONFIRMED
    Shuttle Run—NOT CONFIRMED
    Arm Length—NOT CONFIRMED
    Hand Size—NOT CONFIRMED