Weaknesses:
Summary: Brewster was one of the top centers in the nation entering the 2011 season. He started as a freshman and was a rock in the lineup for the Buckeyes over the next four years. Brewster was named to numerous All-Big 10 teams over his collegiate career. As a senior, however, he had a disappointing season and fell out of being a potential first-round pick. He started the season strong with good games against Miami defensive tackle Marcus Forston and Nebraska tackle Jared Crick. Midway through the season Brewster’s play tailed off, unfortunately.
Brewster had a horribly ugly performance against Penn State defensive tackle Devon Still. He was guilty of numerous fumbled snaps and seemed preoccupied with blocking Still. That wasn’t the only game late in the year where Brewster had some issues snapping the ball. He didn’t do all very well against Florida in his Bowl game.
At the Senior Bowl, Brewster struggled in the one-on-ones against Michigan defensive tackle Mike Martin. He faired better against other linemen, but Brewster didn’t do well enough to improve his stock very much. At the same time, he looked better than other centers in Mobile like Georgia’s Ben Jones and Alabama’s William Vlachos.
Considering his entire body of work as a collegiate player, Brewster is an intelligent technician who typically wins his block. He is well-rounded as a run blocker and pass blocker. He is very mobile and does a good job of quickly getting to double teams on tackles and hitting blocks on linebackers in the second level of the defense. He pulls well for a larger center. Even though he is bigger than many centers in zone blocking systems, Brewster has the athletic ability to fit that scheme.
Brewster could play a power-man blocking scheme, but should add some football functional strength for it. Regardless of the system, Brewster needs to get better at his ability to anchor against bull rushers. As a pass protector, he is effective at winning with double teams, but needs to improve his one-on-one blocking abilities.
Player Comparison: Jeff Faine. Brewster’s game resembles that of Jeff Faine. Since being a first-round pick of the Browns, Faine has had a solid NFL career with Cleveland, New Orleans and Tampa Bay. At his peak, Faine was a bigger player who weighed in the 290-300 pound range. Brewster is bigger than Faine ever was. The Ohio State product has a larger, more muscular frame than Faine. However, both players are technically sound blockers that have mobility, but don’t match up as well with powerful bull rushers.
Brewster could be a solid starting pro like Faine, but his play probably won’t approach the elite of the position like the Jets’ Nick Mangold. Faine was a first-round pick, while Brewster looks like a Friday night selection.
NFL Matches: Chicago, Atlanta, Detroit, Houston, New Orleans, San Francisco, Dallas, Tennessee
There are a number of teams that could consider Brewster on the second day of the draft. Chicago is looking for a long-term replacement for Olin Kreutz, and Brewster could be a good option in the second round. The Falcons need to find a long-term center as Todd McClure is at the end of the line. Brewster could add some size and strength there.
Houston center Chris Myers is a free agent coming off a Pro Bowl season, but the Texans probably won’t overpay to retain him. It seems like there is a significant chance that Myers could sign elsewhere, and that could initiate Brewster filling a need at center for the Texans. The Saints and 49ers both could use a long-term starter, as could the Cowboys and Titans.
RELATED LINKS:
2012 NFL Mock Draft: Charlie’s | Walt’s
2012 NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
2012 NFL Draft Scouting Reports
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