Arizona Cardinals Potential Draft Pick: Cody Brown

Cody Brown (DE/OLB) University of Connecticut

Height and Weight: 6'2", 244

Combine (Pro Day) Results 

• 40 Yard Dash: 4.76 (4.60)
  
• 20 Yard Split: 2.79
• 10 Yard Split: 1.63
• Bench Press: 26
• Vertical Jump: 36 1/2
  
• Broad Jump: 10' 0" (10' 4")
  
• 20 Yard Shuttle: 4.40 (4.31)
  
• 3-Cone Drill: 7.10

Positives: Brown's an above average athlete with an excellent burst to close on a ball carrier. He's a play maker off the edge and surprise blockers with an effective bull rush at times. He played all over the defense in college was very productive. He can change directions in space and has shown good range in zone coverage. A tough and competitive player on the field, Brown's got the instincts and intangibles to a have a lengthy career in the NFL.

Negatives: Brown's a good athlete but he needs to get bigger and stronger in order to be a factor in the running game. He can get driven out of a play and will get manhandled by bigger offensive tackles. He doesn't have a great repertoire of pass rush moves and needs to hustle more on plays away from him or down the field. He's played with his hand off the ground at U-Conn but he's still very inexperienced in coverage.

Overview: Despite the concerns about his size or strength, it's impossible to ignore 33 tackles for loss and 18.5 sacks over the past two seasons, including five forced fumbles in 2008. Brown consistently made impact plays and was arguably the most explosive defender in the Big East Conference over the two seasons. He was a three year starter at U-Conn was the first true freshman to start a game on the defensive or offensive line in U-Conn's D1 era. He's got a ton of experience but he still must continue developing his game if he wants to be an every down player.

Projected Round: Late 2nd to Early 4th

Why the Cardinals should take a chance on him: Brown's got two things that should interest the Cardinals, the ability to improve the pass rush immediately and the potential to become a every down OLB. Early in his career he'll likely be limited to special teams and being a situational pass rusher, but under the tutelage of strength and conditioning, John Lott, you've got to be intrigued by his upside. Once his game fully develops, Brown could be the starting linebacker on either side of the defense. According to a couple of reports, Brown has visited with the Cardinals since the combine.

Interview with Brown:

Highlights: