Linebacker Arthur Brown transferred to Kansas State in 2010 after originally committing to the University of Miami. Brown totaled 201 total tackles over the past two seasons.
Scouting Report
Brown is a highly-athletic linebacker with great hips and extraordinary change-of-direction. If you compare his tape side-by-side with that of fellow linebackers Manti Te’o and Kevin Minter, there’s really no comparison in regards to speed and quickness. Brown ran a 4.62 at the Combine, but he actually plays even faster than that.
Brown is an instinctive linebacker who is always playing downhill. That can cause him to overrun plays at times, but for the most part he keeps himself in solid position. Despite his small 6-0, 241-pound frame, Brown plays big. He takes on blocks well and uses his short 32.5-inch arms to extend away from blockers. Brown typically uses his quickness to skirt around linemen, but he still plays a lot bigger than he is.
In coverage, Brown is a natural. He’s so fluid and athletic that he can easily drop into a zone or cover backs out of the backfield. He could struggle some with larger tight ends, but he’ll rarely be out of position.
Overall, Brown is undoubtedly a first-round talent who will fall because of his height. He’ll be outstanding value for whoever drafts him.
NFL Comparison Lavonte David
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David dropped last year due to concerns about his height, and then he promptly turned in perhaps the best season for any rookie linebacker. Brown has David-like ability—he’s probably an even superior athlete—and will fall too far.
Projection
Brown will probably get drafted somewhere in the second round. There’s a chance that some team in the first values his talent enough to pick him there. If Brown were two inches taller, he’d probably be a top 20 selection and the top linebacker off of the board.
Fit In Dallas
With Brown playing the “Will” weak-side linebacker position in Monte Kiffin’s scheme, the Cowboys would instantly possess the best 4-3 linebacker trio in the NFL. It’s unclear if the ‘Boys would be willing to plug in Brown on the weak side and play Bruce Carter as the “Sam,” but Brown’s height really shouldn’t be a major concern as a 4-3 outside linebacker. He would be outstanding value for Dallas in the middle of the second round.
Other Scouting Reports
Sheldon Richardson, DT, Missouri
Johnathan Hankins, DT, Ohio State
Jonathan Cyprien, S, Florida International
Phillip Thomas, S, Fresno State
Menelik Watson, OT, Florida State
Jonathan Bales is the founder of The DC Times. He writes for DallasCowboys.com and the New York Times. He's also the author of Fantasy Football for Smart People: How to Dominate Your Draft.
