A mid-major, fifth-round draftee, San Diego Chargers rookie Jatavis Brown’s background does not suggest success; however, looking more closely at Brown, it is easy to see that this is a star in the making.
Let’s start with a simple comparison between two different rookie players who played in the same defensive schemes (4-3). Player A is 6’1, 232 pounds, runs a 4.47 40-yard dash and has a broad jump of 11’1. Player B is 5’11, 227 pounds, runs a 4.47 40-yard dash, and has a broad jump of 10’5. From these given statistics, these two players are pretty comparable in size and combine results.
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From last season in college football, Player A had 66 total tackles, 11 Tackles-For-Loss (TFL), and 4.5 sacks. Player B had 116 total tackles, 19.5 TFL, and 11.5 sacks. From these, it is easy to see that Player B was a much more productive player even in the same scheme.
Now for the big reveal; Player A is outside linebacker Darron Lee from Ohio State who was drafted 20th overall in the 2016 draft, Player B is outside linebacker Jatavis Brown from Akron, drafted 175th overall. Judging from productivity and intangibles alone, Brown is very similar to Lee. However, given that Lee played at the powerhouse that is Ohio State and Brown played at the less-prestigious Akron, the strengths of opponents comes in to play.
Though, some of Brown’s best play came against division one schools. Against Oklahoma, Brown tallied seven total tackles, one TFL, and a sack; against Pitt, he recorded 16 total tackles, 2.5 TFL, and 2.5 sacks. The lack of play against larger schools is definitely a red flag, but given that Brown faired well against big-name schools is conciliatory.
The positional fit for Jatavis Brown becomes a bit of a quandary for John Pagano on defense.
Brown played outside linebacker in a 4-3 defensive scheme at Akron, but the Chargers have a 3-4 defensive scheme and very proven talented outside linebackers. This is why I believe that San Diego drafted Brown to eventually convert to a hybrid safety/linebacker.
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With Dwight Lowery and Jahleel Addae being shaky options at safety, Brown would be a well-received project for the defense. Brown is not some scrub cover man in any sort; per highly regarded Pro Football Focus, Brown was given the fourth-highest coverage grade among all draft eligible linebackers in the 2016 draft. The outside linebacker is a rangy athlete with the explosiveness to play in the secondary, an area in which the Chargers need desperate help.