20 Under 25 Rankings: #7 – Malcom Brown

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TURNS 25: FEBRUARY 2, 2019
FINAL RATING: 6.8

There’s upside galore for the Patriots' big defensive tackle. Malcom Brown doesn’t even turn 23 until February, so the team’s first-round pick in 2015 (32nd overall) has loads of time to grow into his NFL role. And he ought to, which is why this is a good spot for him on this list.

Brown hasn’t had a tremendously consistent 2016 -- he was supplanted in the defensive-line rotation in Week 16 by rookie Vincent Valentine -- but that figures to be temporary. There are too many occasions this year and last where you see Brown manhandle the guy across from him and make a play of consequence. The 6-2, 320-pounder has 46 tackles and three sacks this year. Just take a look at this tone-setter against the Ravens that put the Patriots up 2-0 in the first quarter.

Brown’s ability to be an interior speed rusher is impressive, but in the Patriots scheme there’s still a lot of two-gapping and blocker occupying that has to go on. It’s not an easy transition. The Patriots expect Brown to follow in the footsteps of players like Vince Wilfork, Ty Warren and Richard Seymour as a beast up front. It’s a reasonable bet.

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