Chase Brown NFL Draft Profile
Position: Running back
Height: 5’ 9 ½”
Weight: 209 lbs.
School: Illinois
2023 NFL Draft: Chase Brown Scouting Report
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Chase Brown started his university career at Western Michigan, playing in all 13 games with duties in running, catching, and kick returns. However, his twin brother Sydney Brown had also began his career at Illinois, and thus Chase transferred a state over to play with family. He saw a redshirt his first year, with minimal appearances in four games. In 2020 he started six of eight games, while ultimately gaining over 1,000 yards (170 – 1,005 – 5.9) and five ground scores in 2021.
In 2022 Brown went from conference star, to football star. After rushing for 1,643 yards and 10 ground scores, he earned second-team AP all-American and first-team all-conference honours. He also became more versatile in the passing game and ranked fourth in the FBS for all-purpose yards (1,883) as Illinois marched to an 8-5 record.
Strengths
- High-ceiling, improved productivity every year
- Responsible player willing to take on challenges
- Capable to produce in every part of the game
- Excellent fight and downhill running; runs like water flowing
- Powerful for smaller frame, will impress linebackers trying to tackle him
Weaknesses
- Fumbled more in 2022 with increased workload
- Struggles to land blocks
- May need some coaching to create a second-speed run in open-space
- Might be one or two years to progress to be the main workhorse at the NFL level
- Needs to refine certain skills to match athleticism
NFL Comparison: Austin Ekeler
Teams With Need at Position: Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Dallas Cowboys, Los Angeles Chargers
Projection: Third round
Bottom Line on Chase Brown
Chase Brown is a top-class running back in the 2023 NFL Draft. He has some limitations in his running style (a bruiser who can stretch the field) and will not flash with pure cuts. He also struggles to maintain pass-blocking prose and has challenges in turning up the speed in the open field. However, his athleticism is laudable as he ranked highly among all NFL combine participants. As evidenced in his university career, Brown improved whenever any team gave him more responsibility. Instead of shirking from the task, he approached increased responsibility with increased output.
That dedication to improvement and finesse might be one of the most important aspects in Chase Brown’s draft stock. He has the capability to make a mark in every part of the game and possesses unique athletic skills. An NFL team will put him into a system that works for his running style. This is not a slight towards Brown, as running back committees and situational back fields akin to the MLB’s closers dominate the NFL stratagem. Brown is an impressive back with high-production and a high-ceiling. Some scouts identifying a low-ceiling player in Brown might be overlooking his increased productivity and coachable downsides. There is a long-term NFL back in Chase Brown, and he might be one of the safer picks in the third round to have a productive, although not overly illustrious, NFL career.
Main Image: Kirby Lee – USA TODAY Sports
