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.
Spencer Brown/ OT/ Northern Iowa – 6’8 4/8, 314lb
The Good
-Freak size and length for the position with the long wing span to boot (82 3/8, 34’ arm)
-Long, angular frame with good muscle build and has room to add more
-Very good athlete for his size in terms of speed and explosiveness
-Easy mover in space in the run game, being able to combo off to the backer or climb to the 2nd level and pick off smaller defenders as a lead blocker
-Plays with a good motor and will look to take his block through the whistle
-Plays with a nasty demeanor you want to see from an offensive lineman, priding himself on takedown/pancake blocks
-Enjoys enforcing his will on defenders he knows are not as strong as him in the run game
-Has an extremely strong upper body with the ability to uproot and drive defenders back with relative ease
-Washes defenders away in the run game when down blocking, clearing a massive hole to run through
-Has the athleticism to get out on screens and counter/pulls and lead the way for the back
-Has the ability to pick up defenders in space with his length/athleticism combo
-Able to hit and replace with his hands in pass protection with good hand placement inside the defender’s chest
-Plays with active hands off the snap in pass protection ready to punch on the pass rush
-Plays with a strong, wide base in pass protection
The Bad
-Has a thin lower half in comparison to the rest of body and could stand to add more functional mass to anchor down vs premier power rushers at the next level
-Can have leverage issues vs compact edge defenders who can get low to the ground and turn the corner on him in his pass set
-Relies more on his quick set to get hand-on early with a defender than a traditional kick step to utilize his length and athleticism
-His kick step in pass protection can be a little slow at times, leading to speed edge rushers being able to get around his outside shoulder
-Susceptible to inside rushers and defenders crossing his face on stunts
-Can struggle with consistency from time to time in terms of being sound on his run fits and tending to overrun a play
-Would like to see his upper body strength translate more to stonewalling defenders on his pass sets
Bio
-Redshirt Senior prospect from Lenox, IA
-Multi-sport athlete in high school, lettering in both basketball and baseball, earning first-team all-conference honors
-Was a TE/DE two-way in high school in 8-man before being moved to the offensive line in college
-Redshirted his 1st season on campus and started 5 games at RT before suffering a season-ending injury the year after
-Started all but 1 game as a sophomore at RT, solidifying his spot on the offensive line
-Remained a mainstay at RT as a junior, but lost out on his senior season due to UNI not having a fall season
-Decided to declare for the draft rather than attempting to play a spring season
Tape Breakdown
Spencer Brown is not the typical name you often hear when talking about the top tackle prospects in this year’s draft class.