Projected 1st-round pick turns in worst performance in NFL combine history
A strong performance at the NFL Scouting Combine can certainly do a lot to help a player’s draft stock, or conversely, to hurt it. But a strong showing doesn’t by any means assure success in the league, as the road to the NFL is littered with players who impressed at the combine only to sputter when the time came for real competition.
Then there is Orlando Brown Jr., the Oklahoma tackle who, as one of the most highly regarded offensive linemen in the 2018 NFL Draft, is projected to be a first-round pick. He had, by many accounts, one of the worst performances not just at this year’s combine, but perhaps of all time.
Brown, at 6’8″ and at least 345 pounds, struggled in several drills, including the 40-yard dash, which he ran in 5.85 seconds.
.@MikeMayock's #2 ranked OT in this class.
Orlando Brown (@ZEUS__78) from @OU_Football runs a 5.86u 40-yard dash! #NFLCombine
📺: @nflnetwork https://t.co/G9vsC9sjyD
— NFL (@NFL) March 2, 2018
That’s the fifth-worst time since 2003. Now, a man that big is not exactly expected to have the wheels of a Chris Johnson, and scouts don’t really care how a lineman does in the 40.
Oklahoma's Orlando Brown ran the 40-yard dash in 5.85 seconds, the 5th-slowest time by any player at the Combine since 2003 pic.twitter.com/rc8DRsY436
— NFL Research (@NFLResearch) March 2, 2018
But, as pointed out by Bleacher Report, they do care that he ran a two-second 10-yard split. This is the metric that pertains to the explosiveness of linemen, and scouts typically like to see it in the 1.75 second range.
Running was not the only area in which Brown struggled. He finished last among offensive linemen in the 225-pound bench press with 14 reps. By comparison, Notre Dame guard Quenton Nelson, also a projected first rounder, did 35 reps in the drill.
Historical context for Orlando Brown's reps, OT with 35"+ arms – 14 one of the couple lowest for OT I see since 2003.
Alex Barron DNP (21 at pro day)
Clady 24
Tyron Smith 29
Cherilus 24
Okung 38
Jake Long 31
Stanley DNP (24 pro day)
Solder 21— Chad Reuter (@chad_reuter) March 1, 2018
Brown also finished last among linemen in the vertical jump (19.5 inches) and the broad jump (6’10”). Both of those would be the worst performances of any player ever drafted, according to The Ringer’s Roger Sherman.
“It’s appropriate to have the conversation that that’s going to hurt him, in addition to the 14 reps on the bench,” NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock said of Brown’s 40-yard dash time. He added, “If you look at him, he’s really kind of underdeveloped in his upper body.”
Orlando Brown was a unanimous All-American but he's bad now because he can't run fast for 40 yards. As an offensive tackle. Nothing is as stupid or self-important as the NFL Combine.
— Ryan Ginn (@rmginn) March 2, 2018
Brown is the son of Orlando “Zeus” Brown, who played tackle in the NFL for the Ravens and Browns. Brown Sr. died in 2011 at the age of 40
Kudos to Big O for taking a difficult situation and being positive about it. Watch the tape. Dude will be a starting LT in the league this season. He’ll ace his Pro Day at get that bag that he deserves @ZEUS__78 #BoomerSooner @nflnetwork #NFLCombine https://t.co/w3OtCCROKO
— Darnell Roberts (@mridontsleep) March 3, 2018
The younger Brown, meanwhile, made no excuses about his performance.
“It’s understood. It’s a numbers game. … I understand it’s going to be compared (with others),” he told NFL Network. “I can’t make any excuses.”
Regarding his 40-yard dash time, he said it’s something he’s been working hard to improve on, and it was better at the combine than it has been in the past. As far as the bench press, he said he was going to retest, adding that he’s typically between 18 and 20 reps.
Brown said he has a big chip on his shoulder, so don’t count him out.
“I’ve been counted out practically all my life,” he said. “Going into high school, being 450 pounds, (people said) I’m not going to play Division I football … I’m very blessed and I know how to work and so I don’t let things get to me, or get down. I just continue to grind.”
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