FOXBORO, Mass. — The New England Patriots found their replacement for Vince Wilfork on Thursday.
The Patriots selected Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown with the 32nd overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. Brown was widely considered the third-best defensive tackle in the draft.
Brown is 6-foot-2, 319 pounds with 5.05-second 40-yard dash speed. He ran a 7.84-second 3-cone drill and 4.59-second short shuttle. He also posted a 29.5-inch vertical leap and 8-foot, 2-inch broad jump at the NFL Scouting Combine. He played three-technique and one-technique defensive tackle at Texas.
Brown was expected to be off the board by the time the Patriots selected at the end of the first round. He recorded 6 1/2 sacks as a senior with 71 tackles and 13 tackles for loss.
Brown has the size to hold his ground against the run and the athleticism to rush the passer on third down. He entered the draft after his junior year with the Longhorns.
Like Wilfork coming out of Miami in 2004, Brown already is married. Brown and his wife, Faith, have two children, Rayna and Mayah.
It was surprising that the Indianapolis Colts, picking 29th overall, didn’t take Brown. The Colts had issues stopping the run last season but picked Miami wide receiver Phillip Dorsett instead.
Thumbnail photo via Trevor Ruszkowski/USA TODAY Sports Images
