Rookie Spotlight: Sam Brown Jr., WR Miami

Height: 6-2 (unofficial)

Weight: 195 lbs (unofficial)

Hands:

Arm: 

40 yard dash: 4.45 (projected)

2025 Age: 23

NFL Comparison: Devontez Walker, Jamari Thrash, Rashee Rice, Brandon Aiyuk

Breakout Age: 21 (RS JR)

Team Production Share Metrics (Final Season) 

Team Receptions: 12%

Team Receiving Yards: 12%

Team Receiving TDs: 5%

Total Production Percentage: 10%

Pros

• Elite YAC ability
• Explosive 
• Accelerates quickly
• Long arms
• Comprehensive route tree
• Fluid in transitions
• Good hands
• Consistent, produced to at least some degree in multiple programs

Cons

• Not slow, but seems to lack elite long speed
• Needs to add muscle
• Inconsistent in contested catch situations
• Lacks play strength
• Very lacking in yards/route run (1.78) 

 

Fantasy Outlook: 

Brown is a silky smooth runner who glides across the field with the ball in his hands, displaying light feet and quick twitch movements that bely his formidable size. He’s not particularly strong or powerful, but Brown is an expert tackle breaker(20 broken tackles in 2023) who uses his suddenness and burst to evade defenders. Lacking in elite speed, Brown accelerates quickly and has long, effortless strides that help mitigate this aspect. Prior to the catch, Brown is a capable route runner, juking corners off the line with his speedy footwork and selling his routes well before breaking away with a quickness. Brown is more suited for short and intermediate work, but he can break open the big play as well – His 76 yard catch and run against South Florida this past season is a prime example. I will say that Brown sometimes has trouble with longer corners who can get their hands on him at the line, but he can find ways to deal with this issue, like giving up less surface area and making himself a harder target to handle. He’s actually improved in this area over time, and he’s adaptable enough to keep getting better. He’s been able to produce at several strong programs, so consistency is an asset he possesses. 

As a blocker, Brown is willing and usually effective, though he could stand to play with more strength in general. He’s more of a finesse player who uses his elusiveness and burst to get defenders off balance. 

As an NFL prospect, Brown can be used all over the field and projects to be a solid no.2 receiver. If he can show that he’s a consistent down field asset, he could even be a team’s primary pass-catcher. He’ll need to add more muscle and improve his play strength, but Brown has all the necessary tools to be successful at the next level. I’m excited to see if he can create separation from some of the bigger corners at the Shrine Bowl, and if he can, I think the sky will be the limit for Brown.