Players who have stood out in NFL preseason

#10 Jayon Brown, LB, Titans

When I watched Brown’s tape at UCLA a year ago I saw a lot of intriguing abilities, but the shortcomings in the run-game to take on blockers combined with a strong linebacker class made me put him just outside my top 15 names at the position. So to see him show no hesitancy to simply run through guards and fullbacks this preseason has been a delight.

What I really liked about him in college was the safety-like coverage skills he displayed and how fluid he was at changing directions in space. In his debut as a sophomore against the Packers, Brown was all over the field. Although he whiffed badly on one tackle early on, he completely took away guys out of the backfield and surged through traffic to stop the run, as he recorded six tackles, deflected a pass and got a pick off a tipped pass.

Brown has been so quick to sniff out screens and once even stepped right in front of the back to shut that play down. Moreover, he has looked dangerous as a blitzer with a running start and in game number two versus the Bucs he got one official QB takedown as well as being a split-second late to picking up another strip-sack.

Brown and veteran Wesley Woodyard have started games so far with Rashaan Evans out for training camp until about a week ago, but the Titans drafted him to be their inside thumper. So they need that more high-flying coverage linebacker to go alongside him.

Brown is a dynamic guy on passing downs, who has shown no problems following backs and tight-ends split out wide, so I think he should complement the second backer very well. His Bruin teammates used to call him a crazy talker and former head coach Jim Mora described him as a special leader and energizer for a defense.