The New Orleans Saints made few big splashes in this year’s free agency signing period, but one NFL team executive really liked their signing of nose tackle Malcom Brown. Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated spoke with several front office executives and personnel chiefs from around the league, taking notes on which moves in free agency stood out to them.
Per Breer’s report, one of those NFL shot-callers is lauding the Saints’ upgrade: “A handful of teams did real well. Haven’t seen official numbers—but if the reports are true, 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.”
That take matches up well with what we know about Brown. The four-year starter won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots and was a key piece in their defensive line rotation, playing more than 500 snaps each year. He certainly was more active run defense than the Saints’ incumbent, Tyeler Davison, and has averaged 2.5 sacks and five other quarterback hits during his career. The three-year, $15 million contract they gave Brown is the going rate for nose tackles in free agency, but there’s a good chance he outperforms it.
