The Indianapolis Colts yesterday claimed defensive tackle Andrew Brown off waivers from the Houston Texans, the team announced Wednesday.
After a very quiet start to free agency—outside of the trade for new starting quarterback Carson Wentz—Brown is the newest addition to a defensive line that is accustomed to creating havoc and pressure from the interior tackle spots. He’ll most likely slot in as a versatile depth option behind starters Grover Stewart and All-Pro DeForest Buckner although he has experience at defensive end as well.
Brown, at 6-foot-3 and 290 pounds, was originally drafted in the fifth round of the 2018 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals out of the University of Virginia.
In 18 games played for the Bengals from 2018-20 with one start, Brown recorded 15 total tackles and a sack. In 2020, Brown was signed to the Bengals practice squad and was added by the Texans to the active roster, where he recorded one assist in 3 games played. Brown was waived by the Texans on Tuesday, and the Colts have added him to a growing and talented top 10 defense in the league.
One of the most valued things for this defensive line group is versatility, and the ability to play all four spots on the line is a key factor in who makes the final roster.
Brown brings that versatility with a chance to compete for depth snaps alongside the likes of Tyquan Lewis, Rob Windsor, and others. His best fit seems to be as more of a run-stuffing defensive tackle like Grover Stewart but we’ll have to see what role he can carve out in Indianapolis this upcoming season.
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