The Unpacking Future Packers Countdown is a countdown of 100 prospects that could be selected by the Green Bay Packers in the 2023 NFL draft.
It’s no secret that the Green Bay Packers need upgrades at the safety position this offseason. Adrian Amos is set to be a free agent and former first-round pick Darnell Savage had a disappointing season.
Aside from Savage, Tariq Carpenter is the only other safety under contract for the 2023 season. Gutekunst will likely attempt to bring back Rudy Ford for special teams and depth purposes. Regardless of what happens with Ford, Gutekunst will likely look to add a safety or two in the 2023 NFL Draft. A player that Green Bay’s general manager could target is Sydney Brown. The Illinois defensive back checks in at No. 94 in the Unpacking Future Packers countdown.
Brown enjoyed an extremely productive collegiate career at Illinois. During his first year, Brown recorded 55 tackles, two tackles for loss, one interception, and five pass deflections.
The following season, Brown recorded 88 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and one touchdown. Brown missed the final two games of the 2020 season and finished with 36 tackles in six games.
Brown led the team in tackles (81) in 2021 and recorded one sack. This past season Brown led the Big 10 with six interceptions to go along with 60 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, seven pass deflections, and two touchdowns.
“He was a playmaker and a big reason the team had its first winning season in more than a decade,” Bob Asmussen, the Illinois football beat writer for the Champaign News-Gazette said. “He was a good player from the time he arrived on campus, but Ryan Walters (now head coach at Purdue) helped take him to another level. The school has had some really talented safeties over the years and Sydney ranks with the best of them. I think he was thrilled to play a key part as the program turned the corner.”
Brown, a former track athlete in high school, flies around the football field and is sure to be a workout warrior at the NFL Scouting Combine. That speed is a big reason why Brown, along with his twin brother Chase landed on Bruce Feldman’s annual freak’s list.
The @seniorbowl is looking live at @IlliniFootball vs @wyo_football. Illinois DS Sydney Brown has 38 career starts and led team w/ 81 TT last year. @BruceFeldmanCFB put @Sydbrown___ & twin bro Chase on his Freak’s list after both his 22+ mph on GPS. 💨#TheDraftStartsInMOBILE™️ pic.twitter.com/NpDTlmydcR
— Jim Nagy (@JimNagy_SB) August 27, 2022
That speed and explosiveness show up as he is able to run sideline-to-sideline like his hair is on fire and consistently finds himself around the action.
Brown will have to clean up his tackling though. According to Pro Football Focus, Brown missed 14 tackles this past season. He needs to do a better job of coming to balance and finishing. There were also times on tape when Brown just got truck sticked by the running backs. The missed tackles are there, but he doesn’t shy away from contact.
“He seems to love contact,” Asmussen said. “He didn’t have great technical skills when he first arrived but made up for that by throwing himself into the moment. There is a reason his teammates picked him as one of the captains.”
With his rocked-up frame and his fluid athleticism, Brown is able to match up with tight ends in coverage. He’s physical at the catch point and plays through the hands of the pass catcher. With his high football IQ, quickness, and plus ball skills he should continue to be a playmaker in coverage at the next level. It should be premised, that Brown didn’t do wide receiver-like things at the catch point to come down with his six interceptions this past season. A handful of them were ducks (interception against the Gophers). Some were deflections (interceptions against Michigan State). It’s just a credit to him for always being in the right spot at the right time.
Sydney Brown was a ball magnet this past season. Illinois DB finished with six INTs (some off deflections like his first one against Northwestern).
Former track athlete and with position versatility. A lot to like about Brown's game (needs to clean up his tackling). pic.twitter.com/XG0cEvYwUD
— Brennen Rupp (@Brennen_Rupp) January 18, 2023
“From an early age, he was on defense,” Asmussen said. “When he first started to play, his mom insisted he not be on the same side of the ball as his brother Chase, who is one of the best combination backs in Illinois history and I think Sydney has many of the same skills. On his two scores against Northwestern (one on a fumble return and one on an interception) he pointed toward the end zone and made it with ease.”
Aside from his athleticism, teams will love Brown’s position versatility. Over the past two seasons, Brown has played primarily as a box safety (877 snaps in the box). He can match up with tight ends. He can play in the slot. He played deep safety. He has experience playing on special teams and could be a core special teams player. The Illinois defensive back will be a versatile chess piece for any defensive coordinator.
Fit with the Packers
The Packers need safeties that play with a physical edge. Brown brings it on every single snap and he doesn’t shy away from contact. He’s an attacker and he’ll take the fight to the ball carrier. The same thing can not be said about the way Amos and Savage played this season.
Brown is a hybrid defender that will be able to wear multiple hats for any defense. With his size, athleticism, and versatility, Brown could be a potential target for Gutekunst as he looks for upgrades at the safety position.
“He is what is right about football, a talented, intelligent player who thinks about the team over personal glory,” Asmussen said. “He will be the easiest guy to coach and won’t stop until he does it right. He is friendly and interesting, so he’ll be a hit with the media.”
