NFL Draft 2015 Prospect Profile: Defensive Lineman Malcom Brown

The 2015 NFL Draft will be held on April 30 through May 2 in Chicago, and it is a time where the 32 NFL teams will look to add some pieces to improve both this year and in future years.  The Indianapolis Colts currently have nine picks in the Draft, including at least one in each round, and therefore they should be active on Draft day.  Who might they target?  We're taking a look at a number of different prospects, and today we take a look at Texas defensive lineman Malcom Brown.

Background

In three seasons at Texas, Brown (6-2, 319 pounds) played in 39 games and started 26, recording 165 tackles (29 tackles for loss), 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and six passes defensed.  He was a consensus first-team All-American as a junior in 2014, emerging as one of the best defensive linemen in the country.

Pros

Brown is a good athlete with surprising quickness for his size, something that he uses well.  He knows how to win matchups with his athleticism and has good technique that adds to that, making him a very tough matchup for opposing offensive linemen.  He has the skill-set to play in either a 3-4 or 4-3 defense, which will certainly appeal to NFL teams.  He's a mature kid who has a lot of potential and who still has significant room to improve.

Cons

As with many of young defensive linemen, Brown could stand to work on his technique at the defensive tackle position.  He needs to play stronger and with more power.

Big Board Rankings

NFL.com (Mike Mayock) - number 3 interior defensive lineman

CBSSports.com - 27th overall, number 4 defensive tackle

Mocking the Draft - 21st overall, number 4 defensive tackle

Mock Draft Predictions

Stephen Reed's most recent mock draft:  selected by Detriot Lions, 23rd overall

Josh Wilson's most recent mock draft: selected by Dallas Cowboys, 27th overall

How Would He Help the Colts?

Malcom Brown is one of the best defensive linemen in the draft this year, at a position that the Colts could really use help at.  The Colts do have some questions along the defensive line entering the draft.  Arthur Jones should return healthy in 2015, which will be big for the team.  Furthermore, they added Kendall Langford in free agency in a move that could end up to be one of the most underrated of the offseason.  At nose tackle, they have Josh Chapman, who has clashed potential but is not consistent enough to feel great about at an important position.  Depth-wise, the Colts have guys like Montori Hughes and Zach Kerr who are expected to take on an increased role this season.

That's a solid group, but one that still brings some questions with it and could stand to be upgraded.  It's likely not the Colts' number one emphasis entering the draft, but if there's a good defensive lineman still available they shouldn't hesitate to take him.  Colts general manager Ryan Grigson knows that the team needs to get better in the trenches and this could be particularly true of the defensive line, a unit that has been dominated in several games over the past few years.

I think that it's unlikely for Malcom Brown to still be available at the 29th overall pick for the Colts, but if he were still there, he would e a good value pick and a very nice addition to that defensive line mix.  He could help them right away in 2015 and would be a long-term starter for the Colts there, considering that he has great potential and the best is likely still ahead of him.  If Brown is available still when the Colts are picking, he'd be a good choice.