2015 NFL Draft: Quarter grades for 1st-round picks
Aug 22, 2015; New Orleans, LA, USA; New England Patriots defensive tackle Malcom Brown (92) against the New Orleans Saints during the first half of a preseason game at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Mandatory Credit: Derick E. Hingle-USA TODAY Sports
A. <p>I thought Malcolm Brown was going to be picked much earlier than he was in the 2014 NFL Draft. But the New England Patriots of all teams took the nose tackle Malcom Brown at No. 32 overall. The Patriots needed a player to try to replace Vince Wilfork, whom they lost early this offseason.</p> <p>He was the best player on the board too as many players not as good as he is were picked before him. You already know it’s hard to crack that starting lineup with the defending Super Bowl Champions. But Brown gets plenty of playing time as a regular part of the defensive line rotation.</p> <p>And he has made no impact, sacking an opposing quarterback once with some hurries as well. He pushes the pocket so quarterbacks nowhere to step up as well to make it easier on edge-rushers to get there. And that has something to do with why the Patriots are tied for No. 5 the the NFL in sacks so far this year, up from No. 13 last year.</p> <p> </p>. NT. New England Patriots. MALCOLM BROWN