Notes: NFL analysts disagree on the value of Auburn DT Derrick Brown

In Tuesday’s notes we highlighted an SB Nation article arguing Auburn DT Derrick Brown was worthy of a top-five pick.

Former NFL defensive lineman Stephen White broke down the tape of Brown’s game and came away extremely impressed with his motor and his strength. In fact, he went as far as saying that Brown is already his front-runner for Defensive Rookie of the Year. Yes, even ahead of Chase Young.

“Barring injury, I think we will see greatness from Brown sooner than later after he makes the transition to the NFL,” White wrote. “I’d bet him against the field for Defensive Rookie of the Year, right now, today. That’s just how much potential I see in him as a prospect.”

Now, hear from the other side. PFF’s Eric Eager has a very different outlook on Brown’s value in today’s NFL. Eager argues that “his lack of upside as a pass-rusher will significantly limit his ceiling,” and that “the selection of Brown with one of the coveted top picks is likely one that a team will regret.”

The Detroit Lions are at the crux of this debate. They are a team that values run stuffing more than most, and there is no disagreement in Brown’s ability to do that at an elite level. But will Detroit’s need for an interior pass rusher cause them to pass on Brown with the third overall pick, or do they believe he’s a better pass rusher than Eager suggests?

We’ll have to wait until April to see.

• Want to pretend only good things happened last season? Well, here’s a nice highlight reel of all the best plays from the Lions’ 2019 season:

• Pro Football Focus listed 10 trades they’d like to see this offseason. First on their list: Darius Slay to the Dolphins, though they don’t list what Detroit would get in return.

• Lions orthopedic physician Asheesh Bedi is receiving NFL recognition for his work in player safety research:

• The 2019 season was a strange anomaly for the Detroit Lions when it comes to Vegas odds. On average, the Lions actually saw better odds in away games (+3.9) than in home games (+4.6). Chase Stuart of Football Perspective explains why.

• Bleacher Report’s Matt Miller dropped his Mock Draft 1.0, AND YOU’LL NEVER GUESS WH— just kidding, it’s Okudah:

• Anybody miss Dean Blandino? Because ESPN’s Kevin Seifert is reporting that the NFL is looking to rehire the former VP of Officiating, who is now working with the XFL.