Name: Ji'Ayir Brown

School: Penn State

Year: Sr

Position: Safety

Measurables: 5’11”, 203 lbs.

Combine:   Hand Length: 10 1/8”, Arm Length: 31 1/4”    Wingspan: 75 3/4”

40-Yard Dash: 4.65, 10-Yard Split: 1.56 

Shuttle: 4.21, Vertical: 32.5”, Broad Jump: 119”

Bench Press: 18 Reps

Stats:

Courtesy of Sports-Reference.com

General Info:

Former JUCO safety Ji'Ayir Brown carries a chip on his shoulder from his lack of high school recruiting attention. Of his humble beginnings at Lackawanna College, Brown said “That's what drives me… Nobody believed in me earlier in my career. I believed in myself. I never let the faith go. I always look back on that time when one yes or one no would have been a whole different scenario in my life. So, I always look back and always keep that as motivation to push me forward.”

Brown was named the Northeast JC Football Conference Defensive Player of the Year following the 2019 season, his second with the Lackawanna Falcons. Finally receiving attention from Power 5 schools, Ji'Ayir Brown transferred to Penn State University in 2020. After serving as a backup in 2020, Brown capitalized on his opportunity at a starting role in 2021, recording six interceptions, including a pick-six. This was followed up by another stellar season that culminated in his selection as the 2023 Rose Bowl Defensive MVP.

Positional Skills:

Strengths

Dubbed the “Takeaway King” in Happy Valley for his 13 career turnovers, Ji'Ayir Brown has a nose for the football. Though his combine numbers are underwhelming, his impressive play speed was the driving force behind these turnovers. His closing speed creates a false sense of security for quarterbacks to throw into a window that might not exist.

Ji'Ayir Brown’s versatility will allow him to thrive in multiple roles at the next level. Of his 2022 snaps, 51% were at deep safety, 23% were in the box, 16% were in the slot, and 9% were on the defensive line. Brown was used as a blitzer in 2022, a role he embraced, recording 4.5 sacks for the Nittany Lions. Of his new role as a pass-rusher, Brown said “I fell in love with it… It was something that was new, but I was able to adjust and do it well. It’s been a great part of my game. It might be as good as getting interceptions.” Ji'Ayir Brown’s 18 reps of bench press translate to the field, where his play strength combined with his closing speed make him an effective run defender from the box.

Weaknesses

While he is faster on the field than his combine numbers show, Ji'Ayir Brown’s testing results cannot be disregarded. The safety’s 40-yard dash and vertical are 21st percentile and 14th percentile respectively. These weaknesses may become a more serious problem on the field against the NFL’s top athletes. Though he is a physical safety, he demonstrates poor positioning and control in tackling. This impacts him both closing in on ball carriers and breaking on passes.

Versatility is both an asset and a detriment to Ji'Ayir Brown. The phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none” applies to Ji'Ayir because while he can line up anywhere on the field, he is not an elite deep safety, linebacker, slot corner, or pass-rusher. Brown may find his niche as a utility role player rather than a full-time starting safety at the next level.

Fit with the Packers:

The positional need is clear for the Packers. Heading into the 2022 season, the Green and Gold seemed to have a formidable duo at safety in Adrian Amos and Darnell Savage. The pair played below their standards in 2022, and Darnell Savage was benched for a brief period. With Adrian Amos a free agent, the Packers’ starting safeties appear to be Rudy Ford and Darnell Savage: a special teams player and an underperforming former first-round pick. Despite the fact that neither of these players are a long-term solution in the secondary, Green Bay passed up on many affordable safety options in free agency. They must now turn to an underwhelming safety draft to fill their need at the position.

Though the Packers value RAS score in their evaluation process, they have shown a willingness to draft players with a lower RAS score if there is perceived value at a position of need (think Shemar Jean-Charles). Ji'Ayir Brown’s RAS score of 5.74 is below the Packers’ typical threshold, but he moves faster on the field than his testing numbers illustrate. Perhaps the Packers’ front office will be willing to overlook his RAS score because of his play speed and their desperate need.

Ji'Ayir Brown is projected to be selected in the fourth round of this year’s draft. If he is selected on Day 3, he will likely compete with Rudy Ford for a starting role. The former JUCO star is no stranger to earning his keep, both at Lackawanna College and Penn State. Brown’s competitive toughness may give him the edge to earn a starting role in the NFL. If the Takeaway King can recreate his Happy Valley turnover magic, he will be well worth his price tag in Round 4.