What draft experts said about new Packers defensive tackle Warren Brinson
What draft experts said about new Packers defensive tackle Warren Brinson
The Green Bay Packers waited until the sixth round to draft a defensive tackle—selecting Georgia's Warren Brinson with the 198th pick.
Brinson is the fifth former Bulldog defender drafted by general manager Brian Gutekunst since 2021. In five seasons at Georgia, Brinson recorded 71 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and six sacks.
Brinson is a good athlete for his size (6-5, 315), with a Relative Athletic Score of 8.99. On the field, he is a penetrating defensive tackle due to his ability to get up the field quickly and make plays in the backfield. The Packers need a true run-stuffing nose tackle after letting TJ Slaton walk in free agency, but Brinson may not have the power to take on double teams consistently. After Green Bay's defensive line underperformed in 2024, Brinson should get an opportunity to compete for snaps.
Here's what prominent draft analysts had to say about Brinson during the pre-draft process:
Dane Brugler, The Athletic (draft guide)
A part-time starter at Georgia, Brinson played across the defensive line in head coach Kirby Smart's hybrid fronts, lining up at the 4i-technique, sliding down to the nose in bear looks and aligning everywhere in between. His defensive snap count increased each of his five seasons in Athens, and he put steady play on tape — despite a stat sheet that won't draw the eye. Brinson is fairly stout against the run and works to keep his arms locked out to find the ball and create stuffs. He has explosive moments when he is given the freedom to pursue the pocket, but he'll need to be better with his hands and overall rush plan to get NFL blockers off balance. Overall, Brinson flashes NFL-level play with his ability to get off blocks and force his way through gaps, but excitement over his talent needs to be tempered by his sporadic impact. He offers intriguing tools in an NFL-ready body.
Lance Zierlein, NFL.com
Brinson is the best version of himself when he's allowed to get up the field and make things happen. He gets upfield with purpose and pad level. He can get skinny, swim and rip his way into gaps to disturb the run design and compromise the quarterback's pocket. He has adequate strength at the point but won't control blockers or beat back double teams at a high enough rate when runs come downhill at him. Brinson's rush talent and disruptive qualities should fit one-gapping defenses looking for a rotational piece to create chaos inside.
The Draft Network
Warren Brinson is a part of a deep and talented rotation at Georgia. During his career, Brinson has built out a role as a player who has his most disruptive as an IDL who is an upfield disruptor. Brinson has a quick first step and appears to be a fluid mover, which serves as the foundation for Brinson to be successful in both the run game and as a pass rusher.
Against the run, Brinson is an above-average athlete for the IDL position. At the snap, Brinson can quickly get into gaps and work upfield to be disruptive. On plays where Brinson can get upfield, he can create negative plays for the offensive and disrupt the structure of plays. Brinson uses a rip move or quick arm-over to combat offensive linemen who are trying to get hands on him in the run game. Brinson has the length and frame to be kicked out to a true hand-in-the-dirt DE position on higher percentage run downs. Brinson also has the athleticism and motor to chase plays down backside and make an impact and the motor to run down ball-carriers who are 10-plus yards down the field.
As a pass rusher, Brinson can use his athleticism to attack the edges of interior offensive linemen and dictate the rep. In hand combat, Brinson utilizes a two-hand swipe to shed the hands of offensive linemen and continue to get upfield. Brinson has the reactionary athleticism to pursue and apply consistent pressure to quarterbacks who are athletic enough to escape the pocket.
Brinson's main concern as a player is his ability to sustain the line of scrimmage in a gap-control defense. Brinson occasionally plays with a pad level that allows from offensive lineman to get great hand placement and displace him off the line of scrimmage. Brinson could improve his upper-body strength and mass to be able to more consistently control reps and have a more dominant physical presence against the run.
Overall, Brinson provides a unique skill set because of his athleticism as an IDL. In the right attacking defensive scheme, he can provide some impactful reps and create negative plays.
Kyle Crabbs, 33rd Team
Georgia Bulldogs defensive lineman Warren Brinson projects as a developmental talent who could eventually earn rotational snaps as a penetration-style player. Brinson has the build of a gap-control player, but the quickness to penetrate and shoot gaps and create chaos in the backfield.
He is not quite consistent enough to be considered a ready-made player, but all of the physical tools are present for him if he can play with more discipline and recognition on early downs.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
4 Broncos players, 1 coach make ESPN's All Quarter Century team
ESPN recently compiled a list of players to headline their NFL All Quarter Century team. The list, which detailed the best NFL players since 2000, featured the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Tom Brady and Priest Holmes (yes, he's ranked over Adrian Peterson and Ladainian Tomlinson, in which the former is on their practice squad.) Nevertheless, the good news is four Denver Broncos players and a former coach made the Quarter Century Team. Of course, Peyton Manning, Champ Bailey and DeMarcus Ware would come to mind. But Brian Dawkins, who spent a majority of his career with the Philadelphia Eagles, also spent three seasons with the Broncos for the latter part of his career and still notched two Pro Bowls (2009, 2011) and an All-Pro nod (2009). Lastly, Wade Phillips, the architect of the 'No Fly Zone' defense of the 2015 Super Bowl champions, was named as the defensive coordinator for the team. Phillips had stints as a head coach, but his time as a DC with the Broncos will have him immortalized, just like with this list. Check out the complete list here. Related: These 25 celebrities are Broncos fans.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Former Washington minority owner Fred Smith dies at 80
Fred Smith, a towering figure in American business, has died. He was 80. While in most contexts he will be remembered first and foremost as the founder of FedEx, Smith had a significant impact on the NFL. Advertisement He was the father of former Falcons coach and current Steelers offensive coordinator Arthur Smith. Fred Smith also was a long-time minority owner of the Washington Commanders, and FedEx for many years held the naming rights to the stadium where the team plays. Beyond his company expressly requesting that the team abandon its former nickname in July 2020, Smith's efforts to extricate himself from the team placed significant pressure on former principal owner Daniel Snyder. Along with Robert Rothman and Dwight Schar, Smith worked to find a way out of their partnership with Snyder, culminating in Snyder buying their stakes in the franchise in early 2021. The unrest sparked by Smith and the other minority partners contributed to the focus on the business activities of the franchise as led by Snyder. There is an unmistakable link between the Smith/Rothman/Schar situation and the ultimate ouster of Snyder in 2023. Smith first acquired his interest in the team in 2003. He had attempted to secure an expansion franchise in Memphis in the 1990s, when the Panthers and Jaguars joined the NFL. With Elvis Presley's estate involved in the bid, the team would have been known as the Memphis Hound Dogs.
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
NY Giants Predicted to Part Ways With Proven Defensive Player
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Heading into the 2025 NFL season, the New York Giants look forward to having a dominant pass rush. Last year, the Giants were strong in that department, as the former first-rounder Kayvon Thibodeaux matched up with the trade acquisition, Brian Burns. When the Giants went on the clock at the 2025 NFL Draft, they beefed up the defensive line once again by adding one of the most prominent names in the player pool in Penn State's Abdul Carter. With another top defensive lineman in the mix, Bleacher Report suggests the Giants could part ways with Thibodeaux ahead of the next trade deadline. Where might he end up? BR's Brad Gagnon predicts that Thibodeaux could be a consolation prize for the Detroit Lions, who might swing and miss on Trey Hendrickson. Read More: NY Giants' Russell Wilson Drops Strong Malik Nabers Praise "We are again looking at Washington, Green Bay and Detroit. In this case, Thibodeaux is the consolation prize because he's not close to as established as Hendrickson," Gagnon writes. "The Lions have more money to spend than the Commanders and may feel the need to at least outbid them here to keep up with the Joneses in the NFC North." EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 11:(New York dailies out) Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants in action against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford,... EAST RUTHERFORD, NEW JERSEY - DECEMBER 11:(New York dailies out) Kayvon Thibodeaux #5 of the New York Giants in action against the Green Bay Packers at MetLife Stadium on December 11, 2023 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Thibodeaux is looking for some redemption this season. More Photo by Mike Stobe/2023 Mike Stobe Make no mistake about it, the Giants aren't looking to offload Thibodeaux at this time, and it's probably a long shot to assume they would. Winning in the trenches has been a successful strategy for many winning teams, and the Giants just might find plenty of success with a pass rush that features Thibodeaux, Burns, and Carter. Read More: NY Giants Veteran Revealed Russell Wilson's Unique Move At the same time, the Giants simply might need to get stronger in other areas to maintain their hopes of making some noise in the NFC this season. While the Giants missed the 2024 NFL Playoffs, they didn't convince themselves it's rebuild time. New York went out and signed a notable quarterback in Russell Wilson, hoping the experience he brings to the table could turn the Giants around. "Considering shortcomings elsewhere, trading Thibodeaux to address a larger need would be logical, especially if the team is still alive as the deadline approaches," Gagnon explained. "I get the feeling that will actually be the case, as Russell Wilson could have a redemption season in him, thanks in part to the emergence of Malik Nabers." For more New York Giants and NFL news, head over to Newsweek Sports.
