From now until the 2021 NFL Draft takes place, we hope to showcase as many prospects as possible and examine both their strengths and weaknesses. Most of these profiles will feature individuals that the Pittsburgh Steelers are likely to have an interest in, while a few others will be top-ranked players. If there is a player you would like us to analyze, let us know in the comments below.
#65 Deonte Brown/OG Alabama – 6’4 350
The Good
– Massive size, one of the biggest linemen in his class
– Physically imposing player, players forced to try to go around him, not through
– Great play strength, creates lots of movement on first level down/combo blocks
– Size makes him hard to get around in pass protection
– Proper placement on his punch with violent hands, wins the battle once he locks on
– Shows good technique in pass pro, knee bend and plays with overall good posture
– Effective puller when asked to kick out EMOL, able to stun defenders
– Decent mobility relative to size
– Some positional versatility, logged time at each guard spot
– Good starting experience against quality competition
– Decorated career
The Bad
– Doesn’t always seem to play to size/strength
– Want to see a more consistent physical/mean streak and finish in his blocks
– Isn’t aggressive or physical enough in pass pro when uncovered
– Struggles in space when asked to climb to second level, often a step slow working to linebacker and has difficulty remaining on track with back when pulling around
– Falls off blocks too often, struggles to stick on contact when on the move
– Vulnerable to counters in pass pro, some issue moving laterally against spins and quicker pass rushers
– Inconsistent in picking up stunts, eyes can be late to recognize
– May need to lose some weight in NFL to improve conditioning/mobility, reports he struggled with weight in school, seems to tire later in games/longer developing plays
– Off-field questions that will need to be answered
Bio
– 25 career starts with the Crimson Tide
– Started five games at LG in 2018, made eight starts at RG in 2019, mostly played RG in 2020
– First-Team All-SEC, as voted by coaches (second-team AP)
– Four-star prospect out of high school, chose Alabama over Auburn and Tennessee
– Initially suspended by team late in 2018 for undisclosed violation of team rules, eventually suspended by NCAA, missing six total games from 2018 to 2019 (specific reasons unknown)
– Admitted he struggled with weight early in college career but did appear to make improvement, named one of team’s Most Improved Players in Spring of 2018
Tape Breakdown
Brown was one of the players I was excited to check out entering draft season.