The Patriots made strides to beef up their interior defensive line during free agency, signing former Miami Dolphin Davon Godchaux, former New York Jet Henry Anderson, and former Green Bay Packer Montravius Adams, and bringing back captain Lawrence Guy and Carl Davis.
The team was well below average in rush defense last year, ranking 26th in the league and giving up over 2,100 yards on the ground and nearly five yards a carry. The team put themselves in too many difficult short yardage situations a year ago and, to put it simply, they needed to address it this offseason.
Despite the signings and important retention of Guy, the team could use another big body up front – perhaps a true nose tackle – to add to the group that also includes Byron Cowart, Bill Murray, Akeem Spence and Nick Thurman.
Bobby Brown III, a productive defensive tackle for Texas A&M, could provide some additional help up in stopping the run.
Bobby Brown III – Texas A&M
Week 1 Age: 21
Size: 6’4” 325 lbs
2020 Stats: 5.5 sacks, 22 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss,
Projected Round: 5-6
A four-star recruit for the Aggies, Brown III became a full-time starter in his sophomore season. But a strong junior campaign, powered by a team-leading 5.5 sacks, helped Brown III earn first-team All-SEC honors.
Brown III has great size for an interior defender that allows him to eat space. In fact, he’s massive. According to Texas A&M’s pro day on March 30, Brown III has an 85.5” wing span.
As mainly a 1-technique defensive tackle, he’s also got plus strength to blow up running lanes. Here he not only drives the guard back to alter the ball carrier’s path, but has the quickness to take him down after he redirects.
He practically resembles a linebacker on this play to get after the quarterback.
This is just pure strength over his opponent.
The question with Brown III is whether or not he can affect the passing game enough. Despite his 5.5 sacks, he doesn’t show much in pass rush. There are also questions about him taking plays off on passing situations.
Is he a fit for the Patriots? Bill Belichick surely won’t tolerate anything less than maximum effort on every play, but Brown III wouldn’t be coming here to make a difference on third down. He’d likely be competing with guys like Byron Cowart and Carl Davis for a role on early downs. He has the tools to be a starting defense tackle in the NFL and certainly the size to compete at the position. Run stuffing defensive tackles can be had in later rounds, and Brown III could possess intriguing value on day three for the team.
