Karl Brooks 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Karl Brooks NFL Draft Overview

Position: Defensive Tackle
Height: 6’3″
Weight: 303 pounds
School: Bowling Green State University

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Karl Brooks NFL Draft Scouting Report

Karl Brooks has been terrorizing MAC quarterbacks left and right for five years. From the jump as a true freshman, Brooks started eight games while appearing in every game and tallied 32 tackles, 4.5 for loss, and 3.5 sacks. Those 3.5 sacks actually led the way on an underachieving Falcons defense. It was more of the same in his sophomore campaign, contributing 33 tackles, 8.5 for loss, and 4.5 sacks while starting every game. He even added an interception from his defensive tackle position.

After managing two sacks in the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Brooks took a massive leap forward. He was elected captain in 2021 and dominated to the tune of 42 tackles, 12.5 for loss, and 7.5 sacks. That sack mark was fifth-best in the MAC. Then, after concerns that the Portal would be too enticing, Brooks returned to Bowling Green to continue is break-out performance in 2022.

This past year, Brooks earned First-Team All-MAC honors and a PFF All-American selection with his transition back outside as an edge rusher/linebacker. In total, Brooks finished with 50 tackles, 18 TFLs, and 10 sacks. All of that production went well with a pair of fumbles, a recovered fumble, and four pass breakups.

On six occasions, Brooks accounted for at least a pair of sacks in a single game; he even ended up with three in a win over Central Michigan last year. His 10 sacks from 2022 ended up good for third-most in a single Bowling Green season.

He brings an impressively-productive career to an end with a selection in this year’s draft. Despite finishing as one of the best defenders in the MAC, Brooks was not selected to partake in the NFL Scouting Combine. Ths will be another chip on the shoulder of an already highly-motivated pass-rusher looking to make a name for himself in today’s game.

Strengths

• Two-year captain
• Elite, quick first step
• Positional versatility, can play 3T and EDGE
• Lights don’t get to bright for him, he can finish one-on-one with quarterbacks
• Decent hand placement and arm length
• Has the strength to win in any situation

Weaknesses

• Sub-par athlete (5.73 RAS for tackle; 1.69 RAS for EDGE)
• Needs work in rush-defense
• Has a tendency to play too tall
• Struggled at his Pro Day
• Runs out of gas in no-huddle/two-minute drives
• Disappeared against the two P5 opponents in 2022

NFL Comparison: Larry Ogunjobi

Team Fit: Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, Los Angeles Chargers, Cincinnati Bengals, Los Angeles Rams, New Orleans Saints

Projection: Third or fourth round

Bottom Line on Karl Brooks

Projecting Brooks at the NFL level is understanding that, overall, he has a decently high ceiling but the floor of a non-factor, much like Ogunjobi.

Despite his sub-par athleticism, Brooks was incredibly productive at Bowling Green. Most of his production can be attributed to his incredible first step. He’s shown an ability to time up the snap in just a way that puts offensive lines in a bind from the jump.

One of the things that NFL teams look for is positional versatility and Brooks has that. He was productive as both a defensive tackle and edge rusher. While he has experience as an edge rusher, he likely will be a defensive tackle at the next level with his size and overall underwhelming athleticism.

Brooks will be able to be a productive member of a pass-rushing rotation. He has the ability to flash and take over games but it will take time to build up his stamina. Additionally, he will need to improve his hand usage.

He’s going to be well worth a late-day-two or early-day-three pick.