RB, Donald Brown, Connecticut

RB, Donald Brown, Connecticut

Pros:  Compact build. Runs with a low center of gravity. Good speed to and through the hole. Best attributes might be his vision and stop-and-start ability. Shifty runner who can slide in and out of the hole at the point of attack and hit the seam before it really opens.

Cons:   A bit narrow in his shoulders and might lack the frame to add much weight. Might lack the bulk and leg drive to be a true bell-cow runner at the NFL level. Lacks elite speed to breakaway from NFL defenders.

Styg's Broncos Fit:  My biggest problem in evaluating Brown is noting how many times he surprised me; he isn't exceptionally fast through the second level, but he timed well, and flashed some quicks on the field. He made some terrible read errors, but also could consistently hit the seam early. So which is it? Despite his production, I found myself grading him out low in several key small areas, such as his vision, timing, feet and hands. My expectation is that the production won't translate without comparable starters on the line in front of him, and that his production isn't always self-created.

Around MHR:

Around SBNation:

From Scouting Report at Mocking the Draft:

Brown had an incredible junior season, rushing for 2,083 yards and 21 touchdowns. That led him to leave early for the NFL after initially deciding to return for his senior year. Brown came up big in Connecticut's biggest games. Ran for 281 yards in the International Bowl as a junior. Named the 2008 Big East Offensive Player of the Year.

Highlights:

More Highlights

Scouting Reports and Offsite Links:

• Brown ran a 4.51-second 40-yard dash that was fifth among running backs. Then he proceeded to impress in interviews with team officials.
  
  "Jason Garrett called me after the combine and said, 'Donald really helped himself, really put his best foot forward,' " Edgerly says.
  
  Edgerly suggested that Brown's decisive, one-cut-and-go downhill running style is reminiscent of former Denver Bronco Terrell Davis. After considering the compliment, Brown didn't hesitate to bring the comparison back to his guy.  [see more...]
• I was pleased with how I did at the NFL combine. I was a little disappointed with my 40-yard dash time [4.51 seconds], but the way it works, you have two people there with regular stop watches and another with an electronic starter and sometimes it can be different. It's nothing truly official. For example, the Cardinals timed me twice, once at 4.49 and 4.43, and the Jets timed me at 4.39.  [see more...]
• Decent frame with room to bulk up ... Very highly productive in junior year ... Very nice speed in the open field and is a home run hitter ... Elusive and has some wiggle; makes defenders miss in space ... Hits the hole aggressively ... Good vision; identifies cutback lanes ... Instinctive and does a good job setting up his blockers ... Good hands and can make plays in the passing game ... Keeps shoulder pads square to LOS ... Overall explosive threat ... Patient and will take what the defense gives him ... Decent amount of upside.  [see more...]
• Donald Brown is not the quickest running back around, but he is a workhorse who pretty much single-handedly carried the Connecticut offense during the 2008 campaign. He tallied 2,083 yards on 367 carries and reached the end zone 18 times.  [see more...]
• Redshirted in 2005...Worked as a backup in 2006, earned five starts in 2007 then finally took over the starting job full-time in 2008...Led the nation in rushing in 2008...1st Team All-Big East as a junior, was named the Big East Offensive Player of the Year and earned numerous All-American honors...Missed some time with an ankle injury in 2007...Closed out his college career with a bang by rushing for 261 yards against Buffalo in the International Bowl...Not flashy and is the type who does everything well but nothing great...Makes up for his lack of elite physical tools by doing all of the little things...A very good all-around performer who certainly has the talent and ability to start at the pro level but should at the absolute least be an excellent backup.  [see more...]
•  While a little undersized at 5’ 10” 210 pounds, Brown has surprising strength.  He runs low and hits the hole at top speed, squeezing himself through tight spaces that most backs wouldn’t see as a hole.  His acceleration allows him to burst past unsuspecting defenders and he has the change of direction ability to stop and start on a dime and reach full speed faster than the tackler.   His shifty and has some quality open field moves.  Though his top end speed is suspect, he can be deceptively fast in the secondary and is very explosive through the hole.  His route running is ahead of most rookie backs and he shows natural, soft hands out of the backfield.   [see more...]