Sydney Brown (3rd round, No. 66 overall) and Kelee Ringo (4th round, No. 105 overall) were key picks in the 2023 NFL draft, and while neither player is a key starter like Jalen Carter or Nolan Smith, both defensive backs have made a name for themselves on special teams.
Before his Week 13 injury, Brown and Ringo had critical roles as gunners on the punt team, and they shined along with Braden Mann in the 24-19 win over the Ravens.
During his weekly press conference, Michael Clay talked about Brown and Ringo’s key roles on special teams.
One, it starts with the protection. We can’t cover anything unless the ball has been punted, obviously. Having those guys – their mindset has changed, especially Kelee from last year, watching Sydney and [former Eagles and current Seahawks CB] Josh Jobe to now taking the reins.
Sydney wasn’t able to be out there the first few games of the season. Going out there and still playing at a high level. You just see the confidence kind of ooze out of [Kelee] and Sydney to go out there and say, ‘All right, it’s one on one, let’s make a play there.’ Whether it’s a fair catch or making a play, getting the ball out.
The confidence out of those two guys has been outstanding. A lot of behind the scenes goes to [Special Teams Assistant] Tyler Brown, giving them all the tools he possibly can to get these guys to succeed.
Then the veteran guys, some guys that you don’t see, whether that’s [CB] Parry Nickerson, [DB] Avonte Maddox, that have played in the league for a while pushing these young cats to be the best they possibly can. I think it’s shown a lot, and those two have been doing a really good job in tandem.
According to PFF, Ringo has played 249 special team snaps (12 games) and earned an 85.3 grade with five games remaining. As a specialist, Ringo has six tackles.
Brown has been back in the lineup for seven games since returning from a torn ACL, and he’s earned a 72.2 grade from PFF in 148 snaps.
