Deonte Brown 2021 NFL Draft Profile

Overview

Alabama guard Deonte Brown enters the 2021 NFL Draft as a player who just by his appearance can be a headache for opposing defensive linemen. Weighing close to 350 pounds, just his physical makeup lets you know that this a player that is both towering and reliable for a quarterback and running back. In addition to his size and stature, his resume speaks for itself, including a national championship. Though he had a vast group of talent around him, Brown established himself as a fierce presence on the line of scrimmage. Additionally, Brown has played in a system at Alabama that caters to NFL-caliber players at the skill positions.

Brown arrived at Alabama after earning All-American honors in high school. He was also a top 150 player in the ESPN 300 class of 2015. After redshirting his first season, Brown would play in 14 games for the Crimson Tide in 2017. In 2018, Brown became a starter as the Tide advanced to the national championship game before falling to Clemson and potential number one overall pick Trevor Lawrence. Two years later, Brown found himself being part of one of college football’s most explosive offenses as Alabama reached the national championship and defeated Justin Fields and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Brown earned first-team all-SEC honors for his accomplishments as a senior.

Strengths

Excellent in run blocking;
Can jump off the line of scrimmage quickly;
Uses his hands to his leverage;
Proper size for playing guard;
Will excel when asked to pass protect;
High levels of strength.

Weaknesses

May struggle in pulling blocks;
Needs more agility;
Will be limited if weight cannot be controlled;
Projects more of a right guard as opposed to left guard;
Lacks the ability to move to tackle.

NFL Comparison: Alex Bars

Teams with at position: Baltimore Ravens, Chicago Bears, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos, Detroit Lions, Jacksonville Jaguars, New York Giants, Washington Football Team

Projection: Third or fourth round

Bottom Line on Deonte Brown

Deonte Brown, from a physical standpoint, is everything you need in an NFL offensive lineman. However, what will concern NFL general managers and scouts is his weight. Given how the defensive linemen in today’s age are getting more athletic, the offensive lineman are being asked to show more agility of line of scrimmage as opposed to simply running straight ahead and pushing a player back. Also, Brown was the beneficiary of having several superstar players across the line of scrimmage alongside him in college. Upon arriving in the NFL, Brown will be playing alongside players who may not be on the same level as those he played within Tuscaloosa, and the game is much faster. As such, Brown will need to enhance his game when it comes to moving with his blocks instead of simply playing the old-school tradition, yet if he continues to develop himself, he may emerge as one of the better guards in the league.