Keenen Brown is This Year’s X Factor TE

Keenen Brown, TE
School: Texas State | Conference: Sun Belt
College Experience: RS Junior | Age: 23
Height / Weight: 6-2 / 250 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 3rd - 6th Round
NFL Comparison: Vernon Davis?

College Statistics

Player Overview

Keenen Brown came out of high school in Texas as a 4-star wide receiver. He had 20 FBS offers - including from schools like LSU, Michigan, Florida, and WVU - but ultimately ended up at Oklahoma State. A combination of speed (4.5 40 yd) and hops (38” vertical), he was a highly sought after possession receiver. Once in college, he added over 50 lbs to his 6’3” frame and became a tight end. An excellent pass catcher early on, Brown also developed into a willing and able run blocker. Despite all of that potential, he was underutilized at OSU, in part due to a Lisfranc sprain early in his time there. OSU coaches employed Brown as a “Cowboy Back” - a hybrid of tight end, fullback, and wide receiver, but he was primarily used as a blocker. In 2018, Brown transferred to Texas State, ostensibly to be closer to home, but there he blossomed, catching 51 passes for 577 yards and 5 TDs, with 24 missed tackles. A full 27 of his 51 receptions went for either a first down or touchdown. He finished 2018 as Pro Football Focus’ top graded tight end, and was named to its 2018 All-American Team.

Strengths

• Great hands
• Good blocking ability
• Fast enough
• Good athleticism
• Ability to get yards after the catch

Weaknesses

• Didn’t appear to do much at OSU
• Accumulated most gaudy stats in a few games in 2018
• Has one year of documented production

Let’s see his work

How He Would Fit On The Redskins

There seems to be a sense that Brown is either going to enjoy incredible success in the NFL or be a massive bust. His size and measurables are ideal for a tight end, and his combination of experienced pass catcher and established blocker are the holy grail that pushes guys like TJ Hockenson into the top 10 draft pick discussion. His ability to pick up fullback and tight end responsibilities would no doubt have a healthy fraction of the Hogs Haven commentariat salivating, and AP and Derrius Guice licking their chops. There’s no question this team needs an infusion of new blood at tight end, and Brown could be a guy, potentially available in the 5th or 6th round, who could transform our infirmary ward/retirement home of a tight end corps in one fell swoop. Brown’s relative lack of production at OSU hurt him, but a soft-handed tight end who can block falling to you in the late rounds sounds like a lottery ticket worth taking a chance on to me.