Draft season is just around the corner and there is no better time than now to start breaking down NFL prospects. This class is packed with players that are going to make an impact at the next level. I will cover each and every one of them from the big dudes in the trenches to the erasers patrolling the secondary. Let’s get started with a prospect from the ACC, Jarvis Brownlee of the Louisville Cardinals..
The Background
Jarvis Brownlee was a three-star recruit from Miami Carol City High School in Florida. As a senior was part of a defense that recorded five shutouts and allowed an average of 9.8 points per game while leading Miami Carol City to a 9-3 record and the Regional Semifinal round of FHSAA 6A state playoffs. He also recorded the longest interception return in Traz-Powell Stadium history, returning it 108 yards for a touchdown. Brownlee chose Florida State over Miami, Florida, LSU, and UCF among several other offers.
Brownlee spent three seasons with the Seminoles, where he played in 24 games over that span. During his time with Florida State, he recorded 78 total tackles, 48 were solo stops, 61.5% solo rate, four TFLs, one sack, one forced fumble, three interceptions (one returned 70 yards for a touchdown), and seven PBUs. In his one full season as a starter (21’), Brownlee proved to be one of the Seminoles best perimeter defenders. He played in all 12 games, making 11 starts, with totals of 51 tackles, 30 solo tackles, 58.8% solo rate, two TFLs, two interceptions, five PBUs, and one forced fumble.
He transferred to Louisville with two years of eligibility left where he really came into his own as a top coverage guy and played in 24 games for the Cardinals. Brownlee recorded 96 total tackles, 67 solo stops, 69.7% solo rate, 3½ TFLs, three interceptions, 21 PBUs, and one fumble recovery. His improvement also showed up in my grading system where his Blue Chip Rating (12.734), Big Play Score (1.187), and Coverage Score (1) were much higher than his time at Florida State.
Player Breakdown
Brownlee is an interesting prospect to break down and like with any player there are strengths and weaknesses that have to be combed through. Normally I start with strengths but for Brownlee, I want to go over the weaknesses first. His most glaring weakness or concern for scouts and coaches will be his size. At the Senior Bowl his official measurements were 5’10”/183 lbs which are below NFL standards. We have recently seen smaller DB’s make NFL rosters but it’s still a big box that will need to be checked. At his size he can get pushed around, so he’ll likely end up playing mostly in the slot. Brownlee also has some issues with quick inside releases which will need to be fixed.
Brownlee is a feisty player who will do the dirty work when it comes to run support. He plays aggressively and fires downhill when attacking the run, and I would like to see that same intensity when in coverage. Despite his size, he is a physical player that doesn’t back down. He Plays calmly and doesn’t panic at any point, when he’s on the field. At the Senior Bowl, he showcased his potential throughout the week and ended it with an impact play in the game, where he intercepted QB Sam Hartman. An important performance for Brownlee that scouts definitely took note of. He has a home run mentality when the ball is in his hands, with the speed and elusiveness to make it happen.
NFL & Fantasy Projection
We’re just getting started with the draft process and there will be plenty of discussion about Brownlee. His performance during the Senior Bowl week was a big box checked off and caught the attention of scouts. There will be a decision on where he fits best (most likely the slot) to be made by teams, and what that is worth to them. If teams can get past his lack of size, they will love the feistiness that he plays with. For me the cornerback position is tricky to project in terms of draft capital, but I would currently place him somewhere in the 4th or 5th round. If he can test well and keep impressing scouts, he could move into the 3rd round.
In the fantasy world, Brownlee isn’t going to be a top priority in IDP rookie drafts. His peak value will come in position-specific leagues with really deep rosters. I wouldn’t spend draft capital on but rather pick him up off waivers if and when he starts making an impact. He’s a player that does the little things and isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. Those are attractive qualities that can and will get him on the field. If he can carve out a role early there could be some value with him. He’ll be compared to Clark Phillips III of the Atlanta Falcons, but he’s not anywhere near that talented.
Thanks for reading my article. I am a member of the FSWA (Fantasy Sports Writers of America). Follow me on Twitter at @HollywoodTitan, on Facebook on my IDPNation page, on Reddit in the fantasy football IDP sub — I’m user KingTitan1 — and tune in each week and listen to IDP Nation and Devy IDP Grind, the podcasts that I co-host, on several different platforms. Feel free to email or dm me with any questions that you have, as I’m always glad to help fellow IDPers. #IDPNation #IDP #IDPDevy
