2020 NFL Draft: Auburn’s Derrick Brown anchors D-Line class

The top-5 by position ranking continues this week with interior defensive linemen. With just three more position groups left to cover, be sure to check out our other top-5s: quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, offensive linemen, and edge defenders.

The 2020 class of interior defensive linemen is  a mixed bag of high-caliber prospects with a variety of skill sets. Though Derrick Brown from Auburn is the stone-cold leader, behind him is a bunch that can float around in first-round conversations. Although the 2019 college football season is already underway, these interior defenders need to take advantage of every snap to solidify a place among the elite prospects in the upcoming draft.

For all the strength up front for the Auburn Tigers defense in 2019, everything begins and ends with big number five in the middle. Derrick Brown is a big, powerful, beast of a man who controls the middle of the trenches regardless of who is tasked with blocking him.

Brown will thrive as a nose tackle at the next level thanks to his superior strength. Though he would be a suitable three or five-technique as well, the push he gets inside is one of his most valuable traits. Thanks to a quick and powerful get off at the snap, Brown bullies blockers into the face of the opposing quarterback. While he isn’t likely to lead his team in sacks, he draws enough attention up the middle to create lanes for blitzing linebackers and give his edge rushers one-on-one opportunities.

As a run defender, he’s a magnet for double teams, which only serves to help his linebackers. Even when double-teamed, however, he displays the power to break the blocks and wreak havoc at the line of scrimmage.

Brown is a smart player who knows his value to the defense. He’s more of a disruptor than a playmaker. He violates offensive linemen. His play in the season opener against Oregon is proof of this.

The only obstacle standing in the way of Brown being a top-5 pick in April is team need. Even then, Brown holds a strong argument for being the best defensive prospect in the entire 2020 class.