Fantasy Impact: Baltimore Ravens Select Arthur Brown

The gridiron is tilting more and more toward passing the ball each year, which is why having linebackers who can cover is a plus. Because the Baltimore Ravens drafted Kansas State’s Arthur Brown, they ought to be pretty well equipped to handle this tilt for years to come at the linebacker position.

Brown is a fleet-footed linebacker at 241 pounds, who clocked a 40-yard dash time between 4.58 and 4.62 seconds, and logged 21 reps on the bench press at his pro day. All of this was in wake of a shoulder injury which sidelined him from the NFL Combine, so that’s quite a bit of evidence to dispel concerns over his health or athleticism.

But while the health and athleticism are there, it’s not what made Brown a second–round pick. It’s his instincts, his reliable open-field tackling and intangibles as a leader. If he continues to prove himself this summer as he has leading up to this day, expect him to become a three-down linebacker in no time.

College statistics courtesy of Sports Reference.

Fantasy Impact

The Ravens had obvious uncertainty at the position after losing Ray Lewis to retirement and Danelle Ellerbe to free agency. With Jameel McClain coming off of a neck injury and Rolando McClain's uncertain future, Brown could be slated to start right away at Ray Lewis' old post. We know the production Lewis got on a game-by-game basis even in the downswing of his career, which makes Brown all the more appealing in fantasy leagues. The Ravens only got stronger at the position and Brown will warrant an early pick in dynasty IDP leagues, especially if he proves himself able enough to stay on the field for all three downs. With his competition at the position so uncertain, he could get plenty enough reps in practice to win that duty over sooner than later. Having landed in such a good spot in Baltimore, Brown will challenge to be the first LB taken in rookie drafts.