How a historically bad scouting combine performance led to an NFL draft steal
In short: In 2018, NFL analysts watched in disbelief as a top-tier prospect posted the slowest 40-yard dash in combine history. Yet, what looked like a collapse in athleticism actually paved the way for one of the most successful second-generation careers in professional football.
Orlando Brown Jr., the son of the late Ravens offensive tackle Orlando Brown, entered the 2018 NFL Draft with immense expectations. After a standout collegiate career at the University of Oklahoma—where he was a 2017 College Football All-America Team member and an Outland Trophy finalist—he was widely projected as a potential first-round talent. However, his performance at the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis proved disastrous for his draft stock.
During the combine, Brown recorded a 5.85-second 40-yard dash, a time described by analyst Mike Mayock as "historically bad." He also struggled with explosive metrics, finishing last among offensive linemen in the vertical jump (19.5 inches), broad jump (82 inches), and bench press (14 reps). These metrics suggested a decline in athleticism, causing experts to recalibrate his projection from a first-round pick down to the second or third round.
Despite the poor combine, Brown demonstrated significant improvement during Oklahoma's Pro Day, clocking a 5.68-second 40-yard dash and increasing his bench press to 18 reps. The Baltimore Ravens ultimately selected him in the third round, 83rd overall, a move many analysts later labeled one of the biggest steals of the 2018 draft.
Brown's professional trajectory has been marked by high-stakes movement and elite success. After starting for the Ravens and earning Pro Bowl honors, he was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021 as part of a massive multi-pick exchange. There, he secured his first Super Bowl victory in Super Bowl LVII. Following a $16.7 million franchise tag season, he signed a massive $64 million contract with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2023, continuing his legacy as a premier offensive tackle.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Orlando Brown (American football, born 1996)
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