Dyami Brown faced similar questions that followed DK Metcalf out of college, and that’s without the muscle-bounding frame (6-foot-1, 190 lbs) or the elite vertical speed (4.45 40-yd dash). Brown strictly lined up on the left side of the formation at North Carolina and primarily ran verticals and double moves throughout his career. But, it worked at that level. He put up back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and averaged over 20 yards per catch during those two seasons.
I'm planting a flag on Dyami Brown as a potential plus-level starter available on Day 2. Here's two minutes of him winning on vertical routes: pic.twitter.com/zTFUqynqIk
— Hayden Winks (@HaydenWinks) March 2, 2021
Following the 2021 NFL Draft, the rookie worked hard to optimize his route tree. In less than five months, the hard work has paid off.
“I understand you have to be more than one-dimensional to be successful, and I’ve been working on that,” Brown said back in May.
Make no mistake about it, he’s still burning corners vertically, but he’s working the quick and intermediate game to great success, according to team beat writers.
“You guys have seen the practice,” Ron Rivera told reporters. “Catching those quick slants or darts and then sticking his foot in the ground to get vertical is pretty impressive.”
Dyami Brown WORKING here pic.twitter.com/m2YRzCf1dt
— Pete Hailey (@PeteHaileyNBCS) August 4, 2021
With no timetable set for Curtis Samuel to return from his groin injury, Brown could be counted on for more than just a couple of deep balls across from the team’s WR1, Terry McLaurin. But if Samuel is ready for Week 1, Brown might not have to show off that improved route tree right away. Still, Rivera has to be pleased with Brown’s work.
“[He’s] a guy that’s got an opportunity to really kind of step into the forefront for us and be a big part of what we want to do offensively,” Rivera said. “Just adding some more speed is going to be huge. He’s a guy that I think can really help offset some of the things that Terry [McLaurin’s] had to deal with.”
Even though Brown is working to become a more complete receiver, let’s not forget about his uncoverable 9-route.
Dyami Brown on "Go Routes" since 2019:
🥇15 RECs (T-1st)
🥇606 Yards (1st)
🥇8 TDs (T-1st)Is he being underrated? 👀 pic.twitter.com/XpT581vB1D
— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2021
In fact, Ryan Fitzpatrick called up Brown after he was selected to talk about making beautiful deep ball magic together.
“When I got drafted, he was actually the first one to hit my phone and start talking about the deep balls,” Brown said.
The lethal speed combo of McLaurin, Samuel, and Brown only makes us feel more confident about Fitzpatrick’s late-round sleeper upside.
Expect Brown to make his first appearance on The Wolf’s 2021 Fantasy Rankings after his next update.
