NFL exec says Malcom Brown signing is among the league’s best

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Coming into the offseason, the New Orleans Saints knew they were going to make a move at defensive tackle with the sudden depth issue surrounding that position right now.

That move came when the organization signed Malcom Brown away from the Patriots and to a three year contract worth a reported $15 million when the league year began.

Looking over the many transactions that have already taken place in a busy NFL offseason, one front office executive took particular note of the signing that brought Brown to New Orleans.

In conversation with Sports Illustrated, the unnamed decision maker said the Saints made one of the best additions by any team in the league this year.

“A handful of teams did real well,” the executive said. “Haven’t seen official numbers, but if the reports are true, [I] really like the value of Malcom Brown to New Orleans. Really good underrated player. Very consistent. Solid three down ability, on a championship team, and may have some rush upside.”

Brown was a former first round selection made by New England out of Texas in the 2015 NFL Draft, and the player has been with the Patriots organization for his entire career until now.

In his 60 game NFL career, Brown has started 51 contests, recording 186 tackles, 8.5 sacks, has forced one fumble, and has recovered three others.

Brown is a two time Super Bowl champion with the Patriots, where he developed a reputation as among the most consistently productive run defenders in football, if he also leaves something to be desired when asked to pressure against the quarterback.

Brown joins a run defense that this past season ranked No. 2 overall in the National Football League and for a team that is on a short list of those expected to compete for Super Bowl LIV.

New Orleans allowed just 3.6 yards per rush, 1,283 total rushing yards, 12 rushing touchdowns, and 80.2 rushing yards per game this past season.

The Saints came into the offseason hoping to add a player at this position given that starter Sheldon Rankins is still recovering from the Achilles tear he suffered during the NFC Divisional Round victory over Philadelphia, and the likelihood of David Onyemata starting the season on suspension because of an offseason arrest.

Already this offseason, there are many credible reports which state that Rankins will almost certainly begin the 2019 season on the physically unable to perform list.

These developments inspired head coach Sean Payton to admit that the Saints will be looking into the defensive tackle position during the free agency period and in the NFL Draft.