Size needs to be factored in with Brown's workout. Among defensive linemen at the combine over the past two decades, his height (6-foot-5) and weight (324 pounds) placed in the 84th and 94th percentile, respectively.
However,
all of his measured, on-field work was historically bad. His 8.22 3-cone placed in the third -- yes, third -- percentile among defensive tackles. His vertical? 22nd percentile at the position. His broad jump was a respectable but far from super-impressive 66th percentile. His short shuttle time of 4.79 -- 18th percentile. Ndamukong Suh -- a trendy comparison for the Auburn star -- was light-years more athletic than Brown when he tested at the combine in 2010.
And Brown's workout basically matches the film. While young -- still not 22 -- Brown wins with sheer force through blocks and tremendous block-shedding laterally to go along with stellar tackling reliability.
He's the best run defender in the class, bar none. But, while that makes for fun highlights, it's simply not as valuable in the NFL in 2020 as it was even a decade ago.
What that leaves is a large, intimidating defensive tackle with easy-to-see strength and an advancing yet not loaded arsenal of pass-rushing moves with well below-average athleticism for the position. For as disruptive as Brown was during his illustrious career at Auburn,
the odds are now firmly against him becoming a star (pass-rusher) in the NFL.
https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/draft...or-derrick-brown-and-other-notable-prospects/
That is what I see when I watch him. A run stuffer. A great run stuffer.. But still a run stuffer.
