After Auburn’s Pro Day, defensive tackle Derrick Brown reflected Friday on his journey from AJC Super 11 player at Lanier High to being on the brink of becoming a millionaire in the NFL.
“It’s just a testament to God’s plan,” Brown told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after going through his position drills. “I’m high on my faith. I’m blessed that my parents instilled that into me when I was young. I’m just going forward, all I can do is rely on God for the decisions and my focus. That’s how I see it going forward.”
On the NFL draft’s opening night April 23, after likely hearing LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and Ohio State defensive end Chase Young selected, the next name could be belong to Brown.
“He’s a dominant player,” Auburn coach Gus Malzahn said. “He’s going to be a top-10 pick. I think he did real well today.”
With three NFL head coaches and three general managers on hand, Brown went through his position drills after checking in at 323 pounds packed over his 6-foot-5 frame.
The Lions, who hold the third pick in the draft, had their head coach (Matt Patricia) and general manager (Bob Quinn) on hand.
The New York Giants, who hold the fourth pick, had a strong contingent headed by new coach Joe Judge and former Falcons assistant coach Jerome Henderson, the team’s defensive backs coach. The Dolphins, who hold the fifth pick, have at least five representatives, including coach Brian Flores.
The Falcons, who hold the 16th pick, were represented by national scout Phil Emery and area scout Tukunbo Abanikanda.
Brown skipped the three-cone drill, but went through his position drills.
“I came out and tried to do what I do,” Brown said. “I had a solid day. I got a lot of good feedback.”
Brown is hearing some of the top-10 talk.
“I hope so,” Brown said. “I’m just getting positive feedback. I want to work. I’m a high-energy guy who wants to work.”
Brown terrorized lines in the SEC and believes he can play in any scheme in the NFL.
“I played in a 4-3 and 3-4 (defensive alignment) here,” Brown said. “So, I’m good with whatever. I can play from zero all the way out to the five. Whatever they need me to do, that’s what I’m going to show up and do.”
Not doing the 3-cone drill was a little bit of a disappointment. The NFL scouts wanted to see if he could improve on his time (8.22 seconds) from the scouting combine. His 3-cone time was the third-worst overall at the combine, but not a big deal for a defensive tackle who doesn’t have to change directions much.
Brown did the rest of the work even though it was pretty close to the combine, which ended Monday.
“I had to get it in,” Brown said. “Went back home, grabbed my suitcase, got right back in the car and came over here. I had to get back to work.”
Brown doesn’t have a preference on where he goes.
“I’m going to be good with whoever picks me up,” Brown said. “Get there and do my job.”
Brown was an unanimous All-American last season. He was a three-year starter for the Tigers and was a team captain.
He has 17 career sacks and 33.5 tackles for losses. He has a 7.16 grade (Pro Bowl talent) from NFL.com draft analyst Lance Zierlein, and his NFL comparison is considered to be Kris Jenkins, a four-time Pro Bowler who played from 2001-10.
“He has no weaknesses,” Malzahn said.
In addition to Brown, Auburn’s defensive tackle Marlon Davidson is an NFL prospect. One NFL executive compared Davidson, who’s 6-foot and 283 pounds, with Falcons defensive tackle Grady Jarrett (6-0, 305) and said he’s likely be selected in the second or third round.
“You’re talking about two of the best defensive linemen in the SEC,” said Malzahn of Brown and Davidson. “Dominant players, not just good players, but dominant players. They both performed very well. They both have the wow factor.”
Cornerback Noah Igbinoghene, offensive tackle Prince Tega Wanogho and defensive end Nick Coe are other players with draft grades.
“It was just a well-rounded day,” Malzahn said. “I thought everybody had a good day or a solid day. There was just a lot of positive energy out there. That’s a testament to those guys. They just wanted to show what they could do to these coaches and pro scouts.”
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