Pick #117 - Rams select DT Bobby Brown

View: https://twitter.com/ramsnfl/status/1388540475678760963?s=21

 

[Merlin]

And he has always played well. Tough against the run, and he always got some sacks. And a team leader I think. But I always thought he was a better tackle in a 4-3 defense.

I always felt Brock's natural position was 3T. Unfortunately for him Donald was drafted lol.

Best of luck to Brock though. One of my favorite all time Rams because of his leadership and the way he handled himself through some really shitty years.

 

[So Ram]

Definitely as talented as Brockers was. In my honest opinion, his ceiling is prime Haynesworth.

My only question is if BB3 can improve his conditioning. It's a problem because his motor tends to run very cold. I'm hoping that time spent with Donald will improve that and help him reach his sky-high potential.

This guy to me is the PERFECT PLAYER for The Rams when they drafted him.
2021 draft to me was just sprinkling seeds.

The Rams basically needed
every player drafted.I could go down the draft & find players they missed on. I didn’t put time & effort into.

I look at things different than most though. 6’4 325#. I’m not mr. internet and think what is what .

My vision of Bobby Brown & comparison would be more A” Robinson than Brockers.You can look at what Robinson did with The Rams & see Bobby Brown is going to compete for minutes with Robinson.
Even though he might not play much he is still going to learn & be mentored by Robinson.

I’ve noticed a trend & a vision by McSnead that has changed. I believe The Rams have settled in on there depth.Now it’s what Mcvay want since he was hired as The Rams Head Coach.We can even talk coaches & coaching staff he has had.ITS CALLED GROWTH!!
This is just another seed planted.My point being looking ahead & building. There is still growing pains & mistakes.Add injuries plus the veterans who have flashed there the doors to get to this point.
Examples from last season

Reynolds-Jefferson
Gurley- Cam(that was a now pick)
Jones,Calis (Brown ?)
G.Everett -Hopkins
T.Hill-D. Long/Burgees
Weedle-T.Rapp/Scott
Johnson-Fuller
Williams-Rochell -
Robinson-Bobby Brown
M. Fox-Earnest Brown/Garrett
Kiser- Ernest Jones
D. Jackson-Tutu

I like The Rams are dotting the I’s crossing the T’s.

The offensive line is a group that is growing together.Still being mentored by Whitworth.Havienstien is staying to solidify the edges. 5th year straight together.I believe & have believed in this group. The Rams have so much depth know I can see Joesph Noteboom being such a Great Ram Player.IMO he will continue what Whitworth has been helping build.I think The Rams and Noteboom will have a mutual respect with each other. Corbett as well.I like the Badger bonding. Evans is so underrated. Anyway I know this Rams roster fairly well. Ram Fans don’t see it. —Special teams & character are huge. Then add these new additions & I think I see McVays vision.

 

[So Ram]

McVays vision ??

Does anyone notice after this draft
that The Rams went more WR/TE?

Did anyone notice The Rams didn’t really draft a RB/FB ?

I believe Hopkins/Harris are going to be a big part of The Rams offense.Add
Ben Skiwronek to the mix at 6’3 220.

InsideNDSports - Out Injured For Pro Day, WR Ben Skowronek Says To Trust His Production

He hoped to surprise with his 40 time before his injury, but thinks he still has plenty to offer an NFL team.

notredame.rivals.com

 

[So Ram]

Funk will bring a toughness on special teams.He could be the KR guy.
The that type of a player on the roster as well as Harris & Skow . Tough fast guys that will get downfield.

Van Jefferson & Josh Reynolds were not those guys. Rivers & Hollins were FREAKING roster waste.
We can talk about the edge
OBO- Garrett as another example.

Young & Hollins were 2 LBs Shula has to develop?? Hollins I HATED. Make a Play. Kenny Young still figuring out? He makes plays,but looks lost.
Most Underrated Ram Player 2020
was Troy Reeder. Dude was the core &heart of the defense.He might miss a play,but he is always there making still. Since this is a Bobby Brown thread. I think SJD69 is to small as a NT. He gets blown up way to easy. I laugh at all the Austin Blythe Haters.Let’s talk about this small NT.
Adding I like SJD69 a lot.He has an excellent motor & makes plays.He is a good DT & think he should be The next Brockers. Bobby Brown being the NT mixing with Robinson.
—Garrett is just what the DR. Ordered.I love his natural quick feet.
Freaking Hollins sucks. Pick a side & make a play.At least have a feel for the ball. This guy has special God Given talent that is rare.I know it was D3(2). Still if he can get off a block,his feet will get him around the OT.

 

[Psycho_X]

Does anyone notice after this draft
that The Rams went more WR/TE?

Going to go out on a limb and say people noticed.

 

[So Ram]

Going to go out on a limb and say people noticed.

Well there is not a lot of talk about Hopkins ? Who is this Harris guy ?
Ben Skow? What a RB’s ??

 

[So Ram]

For a later date. Bobby Brown seems like a good guy. These players are just ready to go. Got to like the spirit & it’s like getting ready for school.In away
For anyone who has played HS football as Freshman or moving up to the Varsity. The summer team training,then the double days.The team relationships & friendship. Its a cool time.
There is a reason some places are better than others The Rams culture is AWESOME right now!!

 

[Corbin]

Watched a lot of film on this guy since yesterday and my god do I love this pick. Between him and Ernest Jones we got MUCH more physical in the middle. This guy is a mountain yet has very impressive athleticism. Good hands and movement for his size. 1st team all SEC he dominated in the best conference in football. Go look at what he did vs Landon Dickerson of Alabama. Warren Sapp came out pre draft talking about this kid and how much he liked his game. I liked the pick yesterday but I love it today. He is a Brockers replacement 100% and honestly has a chance to be better.

I see ppl saying the new Brockers. I thought that Brown would be playing nose and that this means the expect to lose SJD in free agency. Isn’t Robinson more of a fit in Brockers spot? I thought DE Earnest Brown was more so the future Brockers replacement.

Either way I like the potential of both of the DL picks.

I always felt Brock's natural position was 3T. Unfortunately for him Donald was drafted lol.

Best of luck to Brock though. One of my favorite all time Rams because of his leadership and the way he handled himself through some really shitty years.

This is my huge debate, where he is primarily going to lineup at? Obviously our scheme and coaches like to line up AD in different places to get mismatched matchups but I'm thinking Brown will be a better fit opposite Donald with Robinson holding down the NG position.

I'd imagine SJD and Brown will be rotating often and hopefully they can get Brown's physique and stamina built up this off season. At least that's what I imagine our coaches were envisioning drafting Brown.

 

[RamDino]

I'd imagine SJD and Brown will be rotating often

Don't forget about Greg Gaines... he played much better last year.

 

[Corbin]

Don't forget about Greg Gaines... he played much better last year.

I didn't include Gaines because I see him mostly as a NG rotational player behind Robinson and I mostly noticed him line up there as well. I was more or less getting who the starting or primary 3 interior DL are going to be.

I'm sure It'll be a learning curve for Brown for a bit.

 

[Riverumbbq]

I didn't include Gaines because I see him mostly as a NG rotational player behind Robinson and I mostly noticed him line up there as well. I was more or less getting who the starting or primary 3 interior DL are going to be.

I'm sure It'll be a learning curve for Brown for a bit.

I think you're right about that learning curve for the big 20 year old. I believe he'll get on the field occasionally in 2021, but with SJD heading into free agency and both Robinson & Gaines having contracts extending beyond this season, Bobby Brown likely gets far more involved in 2022 and beyond. McVay seeing Aaron Donald on the sidelines during that play-off game with Green Bay may have sent a chill up his spine in knowing that Donald isn't getting any younger either, and having someone like Brown that can play Nose as well as 3T is added insurance. jmo.

 

[Corbin]

I think you're right about that learning curve for the big 20 year old. I believe he'll get on the field occasionally in 2021, but with SJD heading into free agency and both Robinson & Gaines having contracts extending beyond this season, Bobby Brown likely gets far more involved in 2022 and beyond. McVay seeing Aaron Donald on the sidelines during that play-off game with Green Bay may have sent a chill up his spine in knowing that Donald isn't getting any younger either, and having someone like Brown that can play Nose as well as 3T is added insurance. jmo.

Im of the same mindset as you with all this. I was shocked they took BB over Nixon from Iowa but in retrospect he is a bette edit for what he can do and where he can be most effective.

 

[CGI_Ram]

Can Bobby Brown III Be The Steal Of The Draft? - LAFB Network

Can the 117th overall pick be the steal of the draft? A look at what Bobby Brown III brings to the table and how he can be the SOTD.

www.lafbnetwork.com

Can Bobby Brown III Be The Steal Of The Draft? - LAFB Network​

The steal of the draft is hard to predict. But the answer is yes, Bobby Brown III could very well be the steal of the draft. Considering he hasn’t even suited up for an NFL game, however, Brown has a long way to go before he could be dubbed; “Steal of the Draft.”

The reason he is already in contention for such a prestigious designation is he is big and he is athletic. He ran a 5.04 40 yard dash with a 1.68 10 yard split. He also looks the part. He is 6’4” 321 lbs with a +7’ wingspan and 10.5” hands. His 40 time puts him in the 90th percentile among defensive tackles and in the 95th for his 10-yard.

Three things about those numbers.

1. Only 19 defensive tackles in 34 years who weigh more than 315 lbs have posted a better 40 time than Brown.
2. Only six of the 19 posted a better 10-yard split.
3. Aaron Donald at 285 lbs ran a 4.68 40, but his 10-yard split was 1.65. The case could be made that a D linemen’s 10-yard split is more applicable to what they are asked to do from play to play.

Now, being big and fast at defensive tackle doesn’t ensure that Brown will make a splash in the NFL. Which in order to be considered a “SOTD” he would have to do. Of the six with a faster 10-yard split, only Dontari Poe could be considered as a household name.

Poe is an interesting player to compare Brown to because of their athletic ability relative to their size. Poe was 6’3” 346 lbs coming into the league in 2012. He ran a 4.89 40 and a 1.67 10-yard split. He also logged the following:

Now, being big and fast at defensive tackle doesn’t ensure that Brown will make a splash in the NFL. Which in order to be considered a “SOTD” he would have to do. Of the six with a faster 10-yard split, only Dontari Poe could be considered as a household name.

Poe is an interesting player to compare Brown to because of their athletic ability relative to their size. Poe was 6’3” 346 lbs coming into the league in 2012. He ran a 4.89 40 and a 1.67 10-yard split. He also logged the following:

Vertical Leap: 29.5 inches

Broad Jump: 105 inches

20 Yd Shuttle: 4.56 seconds

Three Cone: 7.90 seconds

Here is what Brown logged:

Vertical Leap: 33 inches

Broad Jump: 113 inches

20 Yd Shuttle: 4.58 seconds

Three Cone: 7.62 seconds

While Brown bested Poe in most, that .28 second edge he has in the three-cone could be telling for Brown’s rise to SOTD. The three-cone drill is often applied when assessing edge-rushing talent. As a benchmark, Aaron Donald ran a 7.11 three-cone and Michael Brockers ran a 7.46. Brown’s three-cone time puts him in the top 75th percentile of players at his size and the 11th fastest DT in his draft class.

And the thing about that is he wasn’t used as a pass rusher at A&M. He was a run-stuffing lineman, but despite his predominant role as nose tackle, he accrued 5.5 sacks and 7.5 tackles for loss in the nine games of his junior season. His sack production out-paced some of the top edge rushing prospects from this year’s draft.

Not only did he have a good individual year, but the Aggies also had a great year and that success was fueled in large part by their defense. They ranked first in yards allowed and third in points allowed in the high flying SEC. A&M’s run defense was particularly stout, ranking second in all of college football allowing only 92 yards per game. Of course, Brown played a large part in the success of the run defense.

All the hype about running in a straight line or touching cones quickly doesn’t add up to a hill of beans if the guy doesn’t have the skills to wreak havoc on an offensive line. What it does prove though is that he is, in fact, on the freakish side of the big lane clogger DT spectrum. Being big and fast at his position means he has a lot of potential.

When looking at tape from his games from last season it is clear that he has a good skill set. He has nimble feet and quality handwork. He has the strength to bull rush offensive linemen, but he also has the bend and balance to swim around him. He has the ability to plant his foot and change direction quickly to get outside and stop runs or screen passes.

The next big factor that will determine if Bobby Brown will be the steal of the draft is if he can get on the field enough to prove he’s got the goods. This past offseason the Rams moved on from Michael Brockers and Morgan Fox. In 2020, those two accounted for over 1,000 snaps on defense. A’Shawn Robinson and Sebastian Joseph-Day are likely the starters and will chew up the lion’s share of that playing time. Behind them, there isn’t much depth. Greg Gaines and Marquise Copeland combined for less than 20% of snaps last season. So regardless if he wins a starting position, there will be plenty of playing time for Brown.

But the steal of the draft can’t just be good enough to make the team and get on the field. The SOTD wins the job! A fourth-rounder should make the roster and see playing time, but not every fourth-rounder makes the A-team.

The Rams first priority with drafting three defensive linemen was to try to replace the irreplaceable. Michael Brockers had edge-rushing speed, but could also defend the run. He was versatile, too. He played both nose tackle and five-technique in his time with the Rams.

Brown is currently the lineman on the Rams that is physically most similar to Brockers. They are about the same height, weight, and length and Brown has that kind of versatility that Brockers brought to the table. This certainly increases Brown’s chances of landing that starting spot, since he can compete for both the nose tackle and defensive end position.

With Brown’s speed and athleticism, he has a shot at beating out Sebastian Joseph-Day, but at the end of the day, SJD is still faster than Brown. The former sixth-round pick has also proved that he can hang in the league. He has put up decent numbers with limited playing time, until becoming the starter last season. Three sacks, four passes deflected, six TFL, and nine QB hits.

But going up against Robinson, Brown may have an edge. He is both bigger and faster than Robinson. Brown’s ability to get outside to shut down runners may be the thing that allows him to edge out Robinson. The Rams struggled last season to defend horizontally and Robinson is more of the traditional pile pusher kind of lineman. Brown can do that too, but also has the ability to get outside. Robinson also missed much of last season with a heart condition.

Furthermore, Robinson will soon be a free agent after this season. Brown’s rookie contract will be much more attractive than Robinson’s, so if he can beat him out, he will be a steal in more ways than one.

Brown has the raw physical gifts and the skill set to earn a starting job, but to truly be the steal of the draft he can’t just be a starter. He will need to be a dominant one and for him to get there, Brown will have to put in the work.

Firstly, he will need to work on his conditioning. The biggest knock on Brown coming into the draft was he seemed to lose steam or turn off the motor on some plays or even lack effort. This could be because he is carrying too much weight. That despite his rare speed, his weight is a liability.

The best thing about this is he recognizes that criticism. In his post-pro day interview, he told Owen Buchanan from TexAgs that he would be focusing specifically on his endurance and that he recognizes that the game has moved away from stationary defensive linemen.

Why that is impressive is it shows even further proof of his commitment to improving. He also improved year over year in college and he sets a very high bar for himself. That commitment got him drafted and it will be necessary for him to become the steal of the draft.

The biggest advantage he has is his landing spot. Aaron Donald is second to none when it comes to conditioning and defensive line coach Eric Henderson is all about work ethic. Simply being in that culture will get the best out of a player. Even Aaron Donald felt he improved after two seasons with Henderson saying he helped him take his game to “another level.”

Henderson was high on Brown coming into the draft and likely swayed the Rams war room in his direction. The feeling was completely mutual. Brown is excited to be a Ram, too. He described being drafted by the Rams as an “out of body experience” because that meant he would get to play next to Donald.

And he has the right attitude going into it. He said he would change the way he wrote on paper if Donald told him to.

The landing spot will also benefit him because of his age. He won’t turn 21 till August so having a good culture will help him mature. While he comports himself very well in press conferences, he also Gus Frerotte’d himself while celebrating a sack against Florida. He ended up missing the next game with a knee injury. So like most 20-year-olds, some maturing is a positive.

Not only will the Rams culture be good for him, but Brown will also fit right in. When describing why a team should choose to draft him LAFB writer Steven Haglund wrote, “Brown described himself as a dog who works every day.” Henderson’s slogan for his position group from last season was exactly that; DawgWork. It was later adopted by the team writ large.

If Brown is committed to DawgWork then he can absolutely be the steal of the draft. If he learns from Aaron Donald and conditions like Aaron Donald he will become even faster and stronger. He will turn some of his weight from a liability to a benefit.

Brown can rise to the level of Michael Brockers. He absolutely has that high of a ceiling. Replacing a first-round draft pick with a fourth-rounder is the definition of a steal.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

His workout numbers warranted a higher selection imo. So did his play and potential. Better numbers than Poe who was a first round pick? Brown must have really run hot and cold, or teams were worried about his knee or weight. He’s already looking like the SotD to me.

 

[Elmgrovegnome]

I find it interesting that the Rams are almost too obvious about there picks after the fact. In 2020 they needed to replace Gurley and Cooks. This year they needed to replace Brockers and Fox. They had me fooled by all of the talk about their PS Dlinemen and the no holes on the team talk.

 

[Allen2McVay]

I find it interesting that the Rams are almost too obvious about there picks after the fact. In 2020 they needed to replace Gurley and Cooks. This year they needed to replace Brockers and Fox. They had me fooled by all of the talk about their PS Dlinemen and the no holes on the team talk.

Those Bastards!

I will make some calls.

 

[Riverumbbq]

According to the article, Robinson becomes a free agent following this season, he's actually signed thru the end of 2022. Still, his contract could offer considerable savings if he became a CAP Casualty following the 2021 season. jmo.

 

[Merlin]

Robinson also missed much of last season with a heart condition.

Hrm wondering how I missed that. I don't recall his condition ever being identified by the team. Did Robinson come out with that or something?

 

[CGI_Ram]

Hrm wondering how I missed that. I don't recall his condition ever being identified by the team. Did Robinson come out with that or something?

That was known back then. I think it was hush hush at first

 

[Riverumbbq]

Seems odd that Robinson made it thru the process to becoming a Ram if his initial physical showed heart problems, must have been something considered fairly minor.

Ex-Lions DT A'Shawn Robinson sidelined by Rams with heart condition

Former Lions defensive tackle A’Shawn Robinson was placed on the NFI list with an undisclosed heart ailment by the L.A. Rams

lionswire.usatoday.com