Patriots Select Malcom Brown DT Texas With 32nd Pick
 Malcom Brown DT from Texas is the Patriots first selection in the 2015 NFL Draft.(USA Today, Image) |
Brown a Surprise Pick, Slotted Much Earlier in the 1st Round
With a surprise pick the Patriots got a big defensive tackle in the 1st Round of the 2015 NFL Draft as many surmised but it was not the one that people thought. Malcom Brown from Texas was slotted as going much earlier and it was thought he’d be long gone by the 32nd pick. But he is the Patriots newest member and a fantastic pickup for the New England defense.
Brown is a big man at 6’4, 320, and had a very productive season in 2014 with 72 tackles, 15 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. He was a finalist for the Outland Trophy, Consensus All-American and first team Big12 honors.
Brown is a penetrator and can push the pocket as well as stuff the run, he’s good at taking on multiple blockers. For a big man he has a very quick explosion off the ball and gets into the backfield in a hurry. Like the guy he’ll replace, Vince Wilfork he has a nose for the football and makes plays while taking on double teams.
He can two-gap but his best football may be as an attacking one-gap penetrator. Brown is a very agile pass rusher for a big man and can change direction well. He can play in either the 3-4 or 4-3 with equal ability.
Also like Wilfork he has a tremendous work ethic and a very stable family life, is married with kids and has quiet laid back demeanor according to his Texas teammates.
How He’ll Fit With New England: Brown will initially share time with Sealver Siliga and Dominique Easley until he finds his comfort zone but the future is with both he and Easley as the starting duo at defensive tackle.
Brown is the big bodied run stuffer, Easley is the more quicker athlete who will be the designated interior pass rusher. But Brown, if he’s cut loose more in New England can be a very dangerous pocket pusher as well. With two tackles who can disrupt and penetrate at the line of scrimmage, they’ll push the pocket and allow the edge rushers, Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, and Jabaal Sheard to clean up.
The Patriots are making an effort to improve the pass rush this season and adding Brown to a healthy Easley will give the team a huge boost inside, something they’ve been looking to add for quite a few years.
In a conference call after his selection, the normally humble Brown gave in to a little self-promotion stating, "You’re about to get the best player you’ve ever drafted, so just be ready for when I touch the field,” he said.
Here is a highlight film of Brown from Texas:
This was a very surprise pick as no one thought Brown would be available to the Patriots at #32. And it was a great start to the draft…..And we’re on to Round 2.
**Updated at 5:30 a.m.
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