Strengthening a lackluster defensive line is an obvious offseason priority for the Dallas Cowboys. The team has already invested in former Carolina Panthers defensive end Greg Hardy to bolster the unit, and it is anticipated that the team may also be looking to invest an early draft selection to add to the interior of the line. If he is still on the board when Dallas goes on the clock at #27, University of Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown would be a boon for Rod Marinelli's defense.
Brown is an impressive physical specimen at 6' 2" and weighing in at 319 pounds. In addition to size he also brings impressive athleticism for a man of his stature. Malcom runs a 5.05 forty and has a nearly 30 inch vertical leap. Combine that with his 32 1/2 inch arms and Brown has the potential to cause problems for opposing quarterbacks even when he does not get to the passer.
At the Longhorns' Pro Day, he was put through a workout by coaches representing the Lions, Colts, and Bengals. Malcom was the only man present from his position group so he got a lot of work in under watchful eyes representing many pro teams including a pair of scouts from Dallas. Not only did he prove more than capable of handling the work load, he proved that he had the endurance to stay strong and finish impressively when the session wound down.
"The impressive part of this deal is he was able to rapid fire through in a short period of time and then finished strong at the end. Impressive workout." - Detroit Lions defensive line coach Kris Kocurek
Kocurek, who has watched quite a bit of film on Brown, was also complementary regarding the season that the first team All-American put together during his senior year in Austin. The Lions coach praised Malcom for the consistency he displayed all season. Pro scouts and coaches want to see a player who gets the job done play after play rather than one who makes a splash and then fades from relevance until he makes another showing. Brown went about his job stacking one good outing on top of another last season.
Not only is Brown a force to be reckoned with, he is also a versatile player. During his time in college he was asked to fill multiple roles in the UT defense. That is a trait that will appeal to Dallas head coach Jason Garrett.
"I really believe I can play any technique. If you go to my film, since I've been here, I've played nose, three-technique, end, stand-up end. Just wherever you're going to put me, I'm going to play. I'm going to attack the work." - Malcom Brown
'Attack the work'; I could here those words coming from Sergeant Marinelli himself. With that attitude, Brown will fit in well with the Cowboys defensive guru.
As you recall, Mr, Brown showed up in the wish list of a couple of my front page colleagues recently, He just missed making the list that I submitted to OCC for that post, but after another impressive performance I am starting to rethink my own choices. Should Brown be on the board at #27, I am certain that he will factor highly in the Cowboys decision.
I would not be disappointed to see the Cowboys take this route on draft day.