WR, UNC
Height: 6’1″
Weight: 185 lbs
Class: Junior
Few college receivers can match Dyami Brown’s production over the last two years. Since the beginning of 2019 he has racked up 2,133 yards and 20 touchdowns on just 106 receptions. This season he was voted First Team All-ACC and elevated his draft stock significantly. In a deep receiver class he would represent tremendous value on Day 2.
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Strengths
Brown has been one of college football’s best deep threats over the past two years. He offers good long speed and genuine explosiveness off the line of scrimmage. UNC like to use him in an almost exclusively vertical role and his production has blossomed as a result. Brown has racked up back-to-back 1,000+ yard seasons and has averaged at least 20 yards per catch in both of them. His 543 deep yards ranked second in college football this season.
Whilst Brown’s role was designed around a vertical route tree, he isn’t a one dimensional receiver. He showcases excellent short area quickness and the ability to make sharp cuts to his routes. He knows how to vary his speed throughout the duration of the route and he has been productive when used across the middle of the field. Although it might take him some time to adjust to more varied responsibilities, all of the tools are in place for Brown to become a more complete route runner in the NFL.
Despite not being the biggest receiver, Brown plays the game with genuine physicality. He is comfortable dealing with more aggressive corners and plays above his size. His effort and approach in the running game is also impressive. He doesn’t shy away from contact and will put his body on the line to help his backs break big runs.
When it comes to ball skills, Brown ticks that box too. He has done a great job improving on a drop issue that plagued him in 2019. Brown logged just three drops on 58 catchable passes this year. This is even more impressive when considering his average depth of target was 18.7 yards downfield. As a result of his vertical route tree he is one of the best receivers in the class and tracking the ball and making adjustments downfield.
Weaknesses
One of the biggest knocks on Brown has been his one-dimensional role. Almost all of his production has come on vertical routes and he hasn’t been tasked with running much more than that. Whilst he clearly has the tools to develop into a more diverse route runner, he isn’t at that point yet. He could take some time to develop and there are more versatile weapons available in this draft class.
It is also fair to say that Brown doesn’t really stand out in any particular area. He doesn’t possess elite speed and he obviously is not yet a great route runner. Whilst he offers a physical playstyle, he is still a little undersized and isn’t going to be a contested catch receiver at the next level. The talent is undeniable, but there isn’t one trait that he can build his game around just yet.
Bottom Line
Brown is an interesting player to evaluate. He was almost exclusively used as a deep threat at UNC, but he is unlikely to play this role in the NFL. He has all of the tools to be an excellent route runner at the next level, and teams will love his physical playstyle. Brown might take a little bit of time to develop, but everything is in place for him to become a solid starting receiver in the NFL.
Big Board Rank: #59
Positional Rank: #9
