Welcome Jatavis Brown, OLB, Akron

[CTrout]

Commentary from ESPN

I love this pick. This could be one of the steals of the draft.

Yeah, McShay got a little excited about this pick.

[Beerman]

Mayock loves this guy.

[Bolt-O]

Mayock just profiled him on NFLN ... says comparable to Deion Jones, who was drafted in 2nd round.

Dime LB at first, starter in 2-3 yrs.

[Steve]

S or nickle db type. Would like it more if he was a better tackler. Big hitter, but inconsistent tackler.

[Geezbolt]

Mayock loves this guy.

Yep. He thinks he'll be a starting dime LB from day one and a great special teamer.

[Fleet]

Please post the espn commentary when its available. Thanks

I saw Mayock. He was all over this kid. Dime LB and will be a starter in 3 years. I had this guy as a Cravens/Jones type LB/SS.

[Boltdog]

With a height of only around 5-11", he's probably going to find more success as a SS in the pros rather than as an OLB, especially with "an undersized, maxed-out frame and short arms"...

[Fleet]

The MAC defensive player of the year, Brown broke Akron's single-season sack record, which he had previously shared with Jason Taylor. He tested well at his pro day, where he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 33 times. He's a fundamentally sound tackler. He has outstanding range as a run defender. And in addition to his ability to rush the passer, he moves well in coverage. The problem revolves around his frame and position fit, as he weighs just 227 pounds. -- Steve Muench

[Bolt-O]

Overview

Brown was the 2015 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and was a three-time first-team All-MAC selection. In 2015, Brown set school records with 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He also holds the school record for career tackles for loss with 41.5.

Analysis

Strengths Consistent and productive for three, straight seasons. Tremendous play speed and acceleration to cut off angles and catch running backs around the corner. Ran a 4.47 at regional combine. Explosive athlete with serious twitch. Glides and mirrors. Can outrace blockers to the spot. Rangy, but will squeeze backside. Team-oriented and not looking to play hero-ball. Instinctive and sniffs out misdirection plays. Attempts to disrupt tight ends getting into routes and has some cover ability. Uses quickness and burst to the quarterback to rack up sacks as blitzer.

Weaknesses Built like a safety and more of a hybrid fit than a true NFL linebacker. Can be swallowed whole by climbing linebackers who get their mitts on him. Needs to add more slippery to his game to avoid the bigs. Lack of play strength and mechanics will show up with his tackling. Allowed four broken tackles and slides off his targets rather than running feet through the finish. Redirect blocks can end his pursuit.

Draft Projection Round 3

Bottom Line Most teams might see a player as a 4-3 WILL linebacker or a box safety in sub packages. Brown has real closing burst and play speed that translates to the NFL, but his frame and inconsistency as a tackler against bigger running backs will hurt his cause. Brown's athleticism has NFL teams feeling some type of way, which means he's likely to go late Day 2 or early Day 3.

[Marshall/Boogie]

The MAC defensive player of the year, Brown broke Akron's single-season sack record, which he had previously shared with Jason Taylor. He tested well at his pro day, where he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 33 times. He's a fundamentally sound tackler. He has outstanding range as a run defender. And in addition to his ability to rush the passer, he moves well in coverage. The problem revolves around his frame and position fit, as he weighs just 227 pounds. -- Steve Muench

Overview

Brown was the 2015 MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and was a three-time first-team All-MAC selection. In 2015, Brown set school records with 20 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He also holds the school record for career tackles for loss with 41.5.

Analysis

Strengths Consistent and productive for three, straight seasons. Tremendous play speed and acceleration to cut off angles and catch running backs around the corner. Ran a 4.47 at regional combine. Explosive athlete with serious twitch. Glides and mirrors. Can outrace blockers to the spot. Rangy, but will squeeze backside. Team-oriented and not looking to play hero-ball. Instinctive and sniffs out misdirection plays. Attempts to disrupt tight ends getting into routes and has some cover ability. Uses quickness and burst to the quarterback to rack up sacks as blitzer.

Weaknesses Built like a safety and more of a hybrid fit than a true NFL linebacker. Can be swallowed whole by climbing linebackers who get their mitts on him. Needs to add more slippery to his game to avoid the bigs. Lack of play strength and mechanics will show up with his tackling. Allowed four broken tackles and slides off his targets rather than running feet through the finish. Redirect blocks can end his pursuit.

Draft Projection Round 3

Bottom Line Most teams might see a player as a 4-3 WILL linebacker or a box safety in sub packages. Brown has real closing burst and play speed that translates to the NFL, but his frame and inconsistency as a tackler against bigger running backs will hurt his cause. Brown's athleticism has NFL teams feeling some type of way, which means he's likely to go late Day 2 or early Day 3.

Wow, thanks guys. You guys are on the Intel

Don't see why he can't be a badazz SS for us -- coach em up!

People can/will always be critical, but its kinda hard faulting TT this year, I'd say

[Formula 21]

The MAC defensive player of the year, Brown broke Akron's single-season sack record, which he had previously shared with Jason Taylor. He tested well at his pro day, where he ran a 4.42 40-yard dash and benched 225 pounds 33 times. He's a fundamentally sound tackler. He has outstanding range as a run defender. And in addition to his ability to rush the passer, he moves well in coverage. The problem revolves around his frame and position fit, as he weighs just 227 pounds. -- Steve Muench

225 pounds 33 times. That has to be a mistake.

[Faded blues]

Thinking the same thing

33 times?