PLAYER PROFILE: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

Photo Credit: Douglas DeFelice (USA Today Sports)

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:

TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
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DERRICK BROWN

HEIGHT/WEIGHT/AGE

6-foot-5
318 pounds
22 years old (as of 4/15)

BIG PICTURE

A decorated five-star, four-year contributor at Auburn, Brown put plenty on tape to prove his worth in the rugged SEC. Compiled 33 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks and five forced fumbles with the Tigers. Ended his senior season as a finalist for national awards after he chose to return for his senior season. Could be an immediate impact 3-tech for whoever drafts him, though teams may have to weigh his tape versus his measurables. Brown had a disappointing combine in every respect except bench press.

COMBINE NOTABLES

5.16 40-yard dash (4th worst)
28 bench reps (6th)
27-inch vertical (T-4th worst)
108-inch broad jump (5th worst)
8.22-second 3-cone drill (worst)
4.79 20-yard shuttle (7th worst)

VIKINGS’ COMPATIBILITY RANKING

2 out of 5. Weird things can happen in the draft. For instance, nobody expected Sharrif Floyd to drop the Vikings in 2013, but they landed him unexpectedly. The same would have to happen to Brown, who struggled at the combine, for Minnesota to be in that position. If selected, he could help fulfill a need at 3-technique with the Vikings.

HIGHLIGHTS
WHAT DRAFT EXPERTS SAY

Lance Zierlein, NFL.com: “Defensive tackle with rare combination of size and disruptive traits who frequently bludgeoned inferior competition across from him. Brown’s snap quickness allows him to take muddy running lanes by re-setting the line of scrimmage. He has the ability to power into gaps, but he really shines when he drops his anchor to stall double-teams or punch, press and prey on runners as a two-gapper. Brown’s upright rush style means he might be more of a pressure rusher than a sack-man, but he should keep improving as a rusher with more dedication to the craft. He could become a high-impact starter early in his career with an All-Pro ceiling and good starter floor.”

Joe Marino, Draft Network: “A bit of a surprise, Brown stayed at Auburn for his senior season and continued to showcase his promising skill set that profiles him as a dynamic defensive playmaker in the NFL. Brown is a rare blend of size, explosiveness, power and technique that he combines with an unrelenting motor to physically dominate his opponents. Brown is a game-wrecker for opponents and he presents high value as both a run stopper and pass rusher in the NFL. While defensive tackles aren’t typically immediate impact players in the NFL, Brown’s experience in the SEC could suggest a reduced learning curve. It shouldn’t take long for him to claim a big role at the next level and produce at a high level.”

WHAT PFF SAYS

5 missed tackles in Auburn career out of 139 attempts
90+ overall grades junior and senior seasons
Avg 25 run stops last three seasons

CHECK OUT THE REST OF THE ZONE COVERAGE DRAFT GUIDE:

TOP 100 PLAYER PROFILES
RANKING THE VIKINGS NEEDS
EXPLORING VIKINGS DRAFT TRENDS
A HISTORY OF RICK SPIELMAN’S DRAFT TRADES
VIKINGS TARGETS
LUKE INMAN’S MOCK DRAFTS
SENIOR BOWL CENTRAL
FEATURES FROM OUR STAFF

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