Brugler:
26. NOAH BROWN | Ohio State 6016|222 lbs|3SO Flanders, N.J. (Pope John XXIII) 1/6/1996 (age 21) #80 YEAR (GP/GS) REC YDS AVG TD GRADE 5th Round 2014: (11/0) 1 9 9.0 0 MEASUREABLES Arm: 31 3/4 | Hand: 09 1/8 | Wingspan: 76 5/8 2015: Redshirted COMBINE BP: 19 | SS: 4.33 | 3C: 7.07 2016: (13/12) 32 402 12.6 7 PRO DAY 40-YD: 4.59 | 10-YD: 1.64 | 20-YD: 2.63 Total: (24/12) 33 411 12.5 7
BACKGROUND: A four-star athlete recruit out of high school, Brown committed to Ohio State over Notre Dame, Rutgers and Penn State. With an experienced core of receivers on the 2014 National Championship Buckeyes, including future second rounders Devin Smith and Michael Thomas, Brown recorded only one catch for nine yards as a true freshman. He was expected to push for starting reps in 2015, but a leg injury during preseason camp ended his season, taking a redshirt year. Brown returned in 2016 as a redshirt sophomore and won a starting job, finishing second on the team in catches (32), receiving yards (402) and touchdowns (seven) to earn All-Big Ten Honorable Mention honors. He surprised many by electing to skip his final two seasons of eligibility and enter the 2017 NFL Draft.
STRENGTHS: Impressive size dimensions with a powerful build, long arms and large hands…footwork to make hard stops and snap out of his breaks…strong route acceleration and looks to establish leverage…beautiful body control to make controlled adjustments on the ball…expands his catch radius to scoop off his shoelaces or snare a few feet from his body…quick to find and isolate the football, making tough grabs look routine…works back to the ball…physical vs. press to power through the jam, effectively using his hands…comfortable with a man on his hip and uses his frame to shield defenders from the ball…tough over the middle with the body armor to endure contact…plus blocker with his upper body strength to control the point of attack…high scoring percentage with a touchdown every 4.7 receptions over his Ohio State career.
WEAKNESSES: Not an explosive mover and his speed is more build-up than instant…undeveloped route-runner and not a technician…struggles to get off contact at the top of routes and needs to better set-up defenders…hears footsteps and loses focus, resulting in drops away from his body…ball tends to get on top of him, causing him to be late turning his hands the correct way, especially on in- or out-breaking routes…not doing enough after initial contact as a ballcarrier with disappointing YAC production…inefficient move blocker and needs to better break down and square up…inexperienced as a one-year starter and was limited by Ohio State’s struggles to develop a downfield passing game in 2016…below average career production with 33 catches for 411 yards…missed all of the 2015 season due to a left knee injury and required surgery (Aug. 2015).
SUMMARY: A one-year starter at Ohio State, Brown was the starting “X” receiver in the Buckeyes offense and had a breakout game in the win over Oklahoma with four touchdowns (Sept. 2016), but was underutilized as the offense struggled to develop chemistry in the passing game. The raw measureables are intriguing with his size, strength and athleticism, attacking the football like a power forward with his ease of movement and large mitts. However, Brown is unpolished as a route runner and his overall inexperience with the details of the position show on tape. There aren’t questions about his natural talent, but his NFL projection is based entirely on potential, making his draft value tough to forecast – down-the-road NFL starter.