NFL Mock Draft 2015: Detroit Lions Select Malcolm Brown

Malcom Brown, DT, Texas

The Detroit Lions have a handful of positions they could address with the 20th pick in the draft.  They are very low on running backs, with our friend Reggie Bush leaving for the 49ers, leaving Joique Bell as the only veteran back, supported by Theo Riddick, who showed promise as a receiving option out of the backfield.  However, this is a deep draft for a running back, with options such as Jay Ajayi, Ameer Abdullah, and Tevin Coleman available in later rounds.  The offensive line could also be addressed, but they have enough pieces there, with Riley Reiff and Larry Warford, with a decent crop of linemen also available in later rounds, such as A.J. Cann and Cedric Ogbuehi.  However, the biggest hole here is the one left by standout defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh, who took his talents to South Beach and the Miami Dolphins.  With the 20th pick in the 2015 draft, I have the Detroit Lions filling this hole with Texas defensive tackle Malcolm Brown.

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The Lions took several hits to their defensive line this off-season, losing Suh, Nick Fairley, and C.J. Mosley this off-season.  Suh is one of the top two defensive linemen in the league, and his presence in Detroit will not be replaced.  However, Brown can fill this hole and become standout defensive tackle in his own right, maintaining the strength the Lions have at the position.  He's very athletic and nimble for a man who weighs around 315-325 pounds, showing quick feet and good redirection skills in drills.  He produced well in college, garnering 6.5 sacks, 14 tackles for loss, and 64 tackles last year, along with 12 tackles for loss, 68 tackles, and 5 pass breakups the year prior.  He started every game in both the 2013 and 2014 seasons, showing that he is a durable and does not have injury issues.  Brown also has versatility, playing several positions in Texas' various fronts.

He also enters a favorable situation in Detroit personnel wise.  During the off-season, the Lions obtained Haloti Ngata from the Ravens.  Ngata has been one of the dominant defensive tackles in the game for a very long time, and while he may be at the end of his career, he still is able to hold is own as a nose tackle.  Not only will Brown have the benefit of playing next to him, he will also be able to learn from one of the best in the game:  one of Brown's weaknesses is his seeming lack of pass rush moves and technique, which I'm sure he will be able to learn from Haloti Ngata.  He will also have the benefit of playing alongside defensive end Ziggy Ansah, a very solid player who has a very bright future ahead of him at the position.  This will create mismatches all across the line, as you cannot double team everyone.

Brown will be a standout for the Lions off the field as well, as he is very mature, being married with two children, and volunteering for an organization for families who have children with cancer or have lost children to cancer called Adam's Angels.

While Brown will most likely not be able to fill Suh's shoes, he has the maturity and ability to become an immediate player on the defensive line in Detroit, as well as the potential of becoming one of the dominant defensive linemen in the league.

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