Player Bio
The Aubrey, Texas, product came to Evanston as a top-20 defensive end recruit nationally, stepping in to play in 11 games as a true freshman (one tackle). Brown did not start in 2018, but made an impact when given the chance with 7.5 tackles for loss, including four sacks, among 22 total stops (also breaking up three passes) in 14 appearances. Brown stood out during his senior campaign, garnering honorable mention All-Big Ten honors in his first season as a starter (32 tackles, 8.5 for loss, one sack, four pass breakups). It was a nice bounce-back after being limited to six games as a reserve in 2019 due to injury (15 tackles, 2.5 for loss, with two sacks, two pass breakups). — by Chad Reuter
Analysis
Draft Projection
Rounds 6-7
NFL Comparison
Jalyn Holmes
Overview
A 4-3 defensive end with NFL size and power, Brown has a natural sturdiness that shows up through contact. His play features heavy hands and he’s generally able to give as good as he gets when it becomes a battle of wills at the point of attack. He lacks desired pursuit range, so his game would really benefit from learning to stack-and-shed the block more quickly so he can jump on top of the ball-carrier. His pass rush is too telegraphed and predictable when attacking off the edge, so developing his rush plan as a sub-package interior rusher will be critical to getting the most out of his potential.
Strengths
- Pro size and body composition.
- Adequate length and hand size.
- Play strength to beat up on tight ends lined up over him.
- Never content to be blocked and strains to come off.
- Big body is difficult to redirect when he shoots the gaps.
- Aware to locate and bat down passes.
- Keeps working feet to find opening through the block.
- Possesses enough quickness to have reduced rush potential.
- Strength to displace pass protection with his hands.
Weaknesses
- Heads for the middle of the block too many times when rushing.
- Wide-open chest gets punched and clinched.
- Doesn’t keep feet under him during the rush.
- Inside counter is gradual and telegraphed.
- Sacks usually come when plays extend.
- Needs better attention to his pad level.
- Can improve at leveraging the gap.
- Pursuit range tends to run out of gas.
Sources Tell Us
“I see pro size and pro potential, but he needs an NFL strength and conditioning program and more work with his hands.” — Scouting director for NFC team
By Lance Zierlein
NFL Analyst