2018 NFL Draft Big Board: Ranking the Top 10 Prospects
By Jon Dove
10. Orlando Brown Jr., OT, Oklahoma
There will always be a need for high-upside offensive tackles in the NFL. Teams need blockers who can protect the quarterback from the explosive pass rushers in the league. This is why someone like Orlando Brown Jr. will get a lot of attention throughout the draft season.
Brown is a massive individual who features great length and bulk. He’s a good athlete for his size which will help him stick at left tackle in the NFL.
His knowledge of the game is apparent as he routinely uses proper angles. Brown does a great job using his size to his advantage and lengthening the pass rusher’s route to the quarterback. This awareness complements his athletic ability.
Brown’s hand usage is another area of his game that stands out. He does a great job getting attacking the defender and gaining inside hands. This allows him to use his strength to control the action.
While he uses his size to his advantage, Brown will always need to worry about his pad level. His commitment to sitting into his stance and maintaining leverage could determine this success in the NFL. It’s something other offensive tackles have had to deal with throughout the course of their career.
Another area where Brown will need some work is as a run blocker. Oklahoma doesn’t ask him to fire off the ball and generate a push. This will likely change at the next level and will require some minor adjustments.