Top 10 sleepers for the Vikings heading into the 2023 NFL Draft

Illinois RB Chase Brown
Illinois RB Chase Brown / Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
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Penn State safety Ji'Ayir Brown / Michael Chang/GettyImages

Ji’Ayir Brown - S (Penn State)

2022 Stats:

  • 74 tackles
  • 7 tackles for loss
  • 4.5 sacks
  • 4 interceptions
  • 3 passes defended
  • 2 forced fumbles

Ji'Ayir Brown primarily played as a deep safety in a two-safety secondary with Penn State, but he is also versatile enough to play in the box and the slot.

He has above-average size for the position and is a solid athlete. Brown's outstanding linear speed and explosiveness make him a reliable defender against both the run and pass.

However, his inconsistent tackling and football instincts make him a questionable starter and a better fit as a backup safety and special teams player.

He compensates for his lack of tackling with great pursuit speed and willingness to assist in run defense.

Despite his impressive physical attributes, Brown's height of 5-foot-11 could lead to him being overlooked in the NFL Draft. He is projected to be selected in the middle rounds.

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