2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Troy Brown (LB – Ole Miss)

As the NFL season winds down, FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL draft scouting reports before the combine in March. Here’s a look at Troy Brown.

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2023 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Troy Brown (LB – Ole Miss)

Troy Brown (LB – Mississippi)

6’1″ – 220 lbs.

Background:

Flint native who originally attended Central Michigan, spending four years with the Chippewas. Totaled 133 snaps there as a 203-pound freshman, making sixteen tackles and intercepting a pass, then stepped into the starting lineup and posted 91-16.5-1.0 with three picks the next year. Recorded 42-8.0-4.5 in the shortened 2020 season, then bulked to 218 and had 66-7.0-1.0 with a pick in his final season at the school. Transferred to Mississippi and went 93-2.5-0.5 to conclude his career.

Positives:

Productive, experienced four-year starter with experience on the weakside, middle, and inside. Overall instincts/awareness are where they should given his experience; patiently reads keys and doesn’t take many false steps. Shows the technique and quickness to work through congestion between the tackles. Gets good extension to play off of blocks, with adequate functional strength; tends to work around if possible but is willing to step into the hole and take on a block if needed. Good athlete who’s capable of pursuing out toward the sidelines. Had some issues with tackling early in his career but made significant strides this past year (6.9% missed, down from 14.7% the year before). Looks comfortable dropping into zone coverage with clean footwork/balance; gets enough depth to keep the play in front of him. Quickly sniffs out screens and swing passes developing.

Negatives:

Has added some bulk but is still on the light side for a pro linebacker; played on the inside this year but might be seen as a weakside-only option unless he gains more weight. More of a smooth mover than an explosive one. more Can be overwhelmed on contact at times; relies primarily on his quickness and savvy to get through traffic. Would like to see more consistent physicality. Doesn’t have very much stopping power as a tackler. Doesn’t always hit through opponents, and radius is impacted by his size; lapses into throwing a shoulder at times. Gives good effort as a pass-rusher but isn’t really a dynamic option there.

Summary:

May not be the biggest or most explosive linebacker in the class, but is one of the most experienced and polished players at the position in this year’s class, with the ability to read keys and flow toward the ball in the run game and sound technique when working in zone coverage on passing downs. Some of the more toolsy players may come off the board first, but he could carve out a name for himself as a weakside linebacker who can play in sub packages and on special teams.

Projection: Round 4-5