Auburn Tigers transfer Byrum Brown could be the first quarterback drafted straight from the Plains since Jarrett Stidham in 2019 next April. Already, though, there's a question being asked for his potential NFL future: will Brown's throwing mechanics work in the NFL?
AL.com's Peter Rauterkus named Brown as one of five Auburn prospects who could be taken in the 2027 NFL draft, but brought up the obvious question that has been a talking point since spring practice began and only amped up after Brown's struggles at the A-Day spring game.
"Brown is the biggest name on Auburn’s 2026 roster, but he’s a complicated NFL prospect. Having thrown for 7,690 yards and rushed for another 2,265, he’s proven himself as an impressive college player," Rauterkus wrote. The jump in competition at Auburn will be a test for Brown this season, but it’s hard to argue against his production. What can be argued is whether or not Brown can be as effective in the NFL.
"He brings good size and has proved himself to be a solid passer, but his throwing mechanics are unconventional. If Brown has another good season in 2026 and works his way up draft boards, those mechanics could be a major talking point going into the 2027 draft."
What is Byrum Brown's ceiling in the 2027 NFL draft?
While Brown's mechanics will be a meme for Tigers detractors throughout the 2026 season, if it works against SEC defenses, NFL teams will be comfortable drafting him and training those bad mechanics out of the picture.
Brown's frame and athletic abilities are, quite frankly, undeniable. At six-foot-three and over 230 pounds, Brown has an NFL body. Of course, proving he has instincts in Power 4 play this coming season will determine how long NFL franchises would be willing to work to develop him.
Brown arguably showed enough with the USF Bulls to warrant draft consideration if a freak injury wiped his 2026 season away. If things work out for Brown in East Central Alabama, though, we could be talking about a day two pick, for certain, and maybe even a late first-round pick.
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