Cleveland Browns: 2019 7-Round mock draft, Vol. 3
By Peter Smith
Round 7 (via JAX): Nate Brooks, CB, North Texas – 6-0, 180 lbs. (Listed)
- 48 solo tackles (10.1 percent), 10 pass deflections (20.4 percent), 6 interceptions, 4 tackles for loss and a forced fumble in 2018.
Nate Brooks is a productive corner who isn’t afraid to throw his body around. There just isn’t a whole lot of it to throw around and when he’s measured, the hope is he doesn’t turn out to lose an inch and ten pounds. Nevertheless, he finds a way to make tackles and plays on the football.
Brooks has a tons of experience playing off coverage, accustomed to sticking his foot in the ground and attacking forward. When he reads run or screen to his side, he gets downhill in a hurry with bad intentions and will get the ball carrier on the ground. He runs into problems when he’s asked to get off blocks as he can get overwhelmed pretty easily, which makes it important for him to beat them to the spot.
Brooks is scrappy and plays with a ton of effort and fire, often letting people know he’s making a play. He shows pretty good movement skills in terms of speed and agility and he knows how to make plays on the ball with the ability to intercept passes.
The Browns don’t necessarily have needs at corner, but they could look to make upgrades or just continue to add competition and depth. Brooks falls in the latter category, but might have a little upside to get better at the next level.