FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in March. Here’s a look at Maryland defensive back Beau Brade.
2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Beau Brade
Beau Brade (DB – Maryland)
6’1” – 200 lbs.
Background:
Beau Brade was a three-star recruit and a Maryland native who barely saw the field on defense in 2020. He rotated in a little bit the following year (14 tackles). Has been in a starting role for the past two seasons, finishing with 85 tackles, two interceptions and five breakups in 2022. This past season, he recorded 75 tackles, one interception and six breakups.
Positives:
A two-year starter for a program with a good reputation for producing defensive backs. A solidly-built player who appears to have good length. Did a little bit of everything; mostly plays as a high safety, but also takes extensive snaps out of the box. Will occasionally shade over a slot receiver or line up opposite a tight end. Fast, explosive athlete who brings a lot of energy. A willing run supporter who shows a quick trigger and closes well when playing downhill. Does a nice job of keeping his shoulders square when playing the run. A physical hitter who can help set the tone defensively, with some explosiveness to close and into contact. Length shows up in his open-field tackling. Shows effective run-blitzing traits off the edge. Looks fast making spot drops into zone, with quick feet in his backpedal or when shuffling to depth. Clean transitions to driving on a spot. Flips his hips pretty well when pattern-matching in zone. Closes well on in-breaking routes, with some well-timed hits and breakups.
Negatives:
Brings a lot of physicality, but he hasn’t been the most reliable tackler. Can lapse into hitting at times. Doesn’t always do the best job of breaking down in the open field and will over-pursue some spots. Still developing his feel for coverage. Would be nice to see him be a bit more conservative when playing as the high safety, as his eagerness to come up and defend the run can be exploited by play-fakes. Tends to get aggressive and sit on the underneath routes when shaded over — rather than keeping things in front of him should a receiver run down the seams.
Summary:
An interesting prospect in that he has the raw speed and explosiveness of a free safety, but is temperamentally much more suited to the box due to his aggressiveness and physicality. Was often flying up from high safety alignments during the games reviewed, showing a preference for delivering hits as a downhill player. As it currently stands, some inefficiencies to his game need work but it’s not hard to imagine a team falling in love with his versatile, starting-caliber tools and consider him toward the end of the second day of the draft.
Projection: Round 4
More 2024 NFL Draft Prospects: Defensive Backs
- Josh Newton (CB – TCU)
- Cooper DeJean (CB – Iowa)
- Ennis Rakestraw Jr. (CB – Missouri)
- Kalen King (CB – Penn State)
- Kamari Lassiter (CB – Georgia)
- Khyree Jackson (CB – Oregon)
- D.J. James (CB – Auburn)
- Nate Wiggins (CB – Clemson)
- Kris Abrams-Draine (CB – Missouri)
- Kool-Aid McKinstry (CB – Alabama)
- T.J. Tampa (CB – Iowa State)
- Quinyon Mitchell (CB – Toledo)
- Terrion Arnold (CB – Alabama)
- Nehemiah Pritchett (CB – Auburn)
- Mike Sainristil (CB – Michigan)
- Dwight McGlothern (CB – Arkansas)
- Caelen Carson (CB – Wake Forest)
- Cam Hart (CB – Notre Dame)
- Max Melton (CB – Rutgers)
- Jarrian Jones (CB – Florida State)
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