When the New England Patriots selected defensive tackle Malcom Brown from the University of Texas with the 32nd pick of the 2015 draft, it wasn’t long before he was familiarized with the intensity that surrounds the franchise. Greatness is always expected in New England. Especially from a first round pick who was regarded as a steal on draft night.
Time to Shine for Malcom Brown
The 6’2’’, 320lb lineman was immediately compared to Vince Wilfork. Wilfork was the undisputed anchor of the Pats’ defensive line for over a decade. The two were nearly identical in height and weight. The Patriots were eager to replace Wilfork however, and his contract was not renewed at the end of the 2014-15 season.
Though Brown was a first round pick, his impact flew under the radar during his first season. New England used a rotation of four to five interior linemen throughout the season. With standout campaigns from Rob Ninkovich and Chandler Jones, as well as contributions from journeymen Alan Branch and Akiem Hicks, Brown’s number was not called as much as expected.
Despite his lack of big-play capability (3 total sacks), his 48 total tackles led all defensive tackles on the Patriots roster. He also appeared in all 16 games, which distinguished him from oft-injured Dominique Easley, and spoke to his durability. As a first round draft pick, Easley, like Brown, started his career as a top tier prospect. Easley was expected to contribute from the start of off-season workouts. However, his first and second seasons were substantial let-downs; the team released him at the end of the 2015-16 season. He has since signed with the Los Angeles Rams. In turn, Easley’s departure opened the door for Brown to take charge of one of the youngest positions on the Patriots depth chart.
The NFL still considers Malcom Brown a greenhorn at 22 years of age. He needs more games under his belt before his play takes the next step forward. Still, those with the team think very highly of him, and believe he has what it takes to be a solid starting DT in the NFL.
On June 3rd, CSNNE.com’s Phil Perry published an article Brown’s maturity both on and off the field. The article includes quotes from teammates Matthew Slater and fellow tackle Terrance Knighton, who praise Malcom’s football knowledge and leadership for such a young player.
“Malcom Brown has basically been leading the group,” Knighton said after an OTA practice last week. “Being in his second year, he’s probably the most experienced guy in it right now as far as this team.”
Malcom’s athletic gifts are evident. At 320lbs, he ran a 5 second 40-yard dash at the 2015 NFL combine. He did 26 reps on the bench press, and sported a vertical leap of 29.5 inches. But at the top of his unmistakable physical talent is something even more important: a level head.
Some would still consider him a ‘kid’, but Brown is already a husband and father to two young children. He balanced student life and family dependency nearly his entire college career. Now, add another dynamic; Brown is one of the country’s greatest players, in one of its greatest games, making a great big paycheck. So many before him have succumbed to the pressure of the NFL, and many more will fail after him. But those around Brown will surely tell you something like, “It’s nothing he can’t handle.”
MAIN PHOTO:
