Tennessee Titans inside linebacker Jayon Brown has flown under the radar outside of Nashville even after putting together impressive seasons in each of the past two years.
However, Pro Football Focus’ Ben Linsey recently compiled a list of the top-25 off-ball linebackers in the NFL today, and Brown made the cut at No. 10.
Brown is not a player who comes up all that often when discussing the league’s best linebackers, but he deserves a spot in the conversation. That comes down largely to the ability he has shown in coverage. He has sported a top-20 coverage grade at the position in each of the past two years — reaching as high as sixth in 2018. No linebacker who has seen at least 50 targets in coverage since 2018 has allowed a lower yards-per-target mark than Brown’s 5.6. It’s a number that highlights both his ability to limit the big play and his ability to make plays on the ball when the opportunity presents itself. He’ll continue to man the position with teammate Rashaan Evans heading into next season.
Brown has emerged as a star on the Titans’ defense since being taken in the fifth round of the 2017 NFL Draft.
In each of the past two campaigns, Brown has finished second and third on the team in tackles, and he achieved the latter placement in 2019 despite missing two games.
But the most impressive thing about the UCLA product’s play has been his ability in coverage. Since 2018, Brown’s PFF grade in that area ranks fifth among all linebackers in the NFL.
While Brown’s value to the Titans is clear, his future remains up in the air.
The 25-year-old is in the final year of his rookie contract in 2020. At this point, it would be shocking if the Titans don’t keep Brown around for the long haul, and it would be wise for them to extend him sooner rather than later in order to avoid a potential bidding war in 2021.
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