Detroit Lions: Malcom Brown is the perfect fit

The NFL Draft is right around the corner and the Detroit Lions will be drafting 23^rd in the first-round.

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It was an offseason full of loss along the Lions’ daunted defensive front. The Lions lost both of their starting defensive tackles as Ndamukong Suh and Nick Fairley both left the Motor City.

Suh signed a mega-deal with the Miami Dolphins after some very good seasons with the Lions. The Dolphins signed Suh to a six-year, $114.375 million contract. In five seasons with the Lions, Suh totaled 36 sacks, 241 tackles, two forced fumbles, and one interception. Suh made the Pro Bowl four out of his five seasons with the Lions, and has proved to be one of the best defensive lineman in the NFL.

While the loss of Suh is the biggest of the offseason for the Lions, the loss of Fairley is also a significant one. In four seasons with the Lions, Fairley has totaled 13.5 sacks, 98 tackles, five forced fumbles, and three fumble recoveries.

In large part because of Suh last season, the Lions were able to have the best rushing defense in the NFL. Fairley missed eight games last season for the Lions, but Fairley and Suh were a force to be reckoned with in the middle. Fairley signed a one-year, $5 million contract with incentives that can earn Fairley up to $8 million.

While it is impossible for the Lions to replace the production that Suh and Fairley have given, the Lions are trying.

One of the bigger names to move in the offseason was Baltimore Ravens’ defensive lineman Haloti Ngata. The long time Ravens star was traded to the Lions, and he’ll certain help fill the void left by Suh and Fairley.

Oct 26, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Baltimore Ravens defensive end Haloti Ngata (92) knocks the ball away from Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) during the fourth quarter at Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

Ngata is a good start for the Lions to attempt to maintain the best rushing defense in the NFL, but more is needed. In the NFL Draft, the Lions should target defensive tackle Malcom Brown from Texas.

Brown would be the perfect pick for the Lions to play alongside Ngata. Last season at Texas, Brown totaled 6.5 sacks, 71 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Brown’s size is perfect for the position, as he is 6’3”, 319lbs.

Last season, Brown was able to earn some impressive accolades. In 2014, he was a finalist for Bronco Nagurski Trophy, which is awarded to the most outstanding defensive player. Brown was also a finalist for the Outland Trophy, which is awarded to the best interior defensive lineman. As expected, Brown dominated the Big-12, as he was a first-team All-American.

The hardest thing for the Lions to do will be to replace the element of getting pressure on the quarterback that Suh brought. Ngata is a fantastic player against the run, but is on the downside of his career. If the Lions select Brown, he doesn’t project to be a great-pass rusher, but playing alongside Ngata is a good situation to be drafted into.

Much of the Lions’ success came from the defensive side of the ball despite having big names like Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson. In 2015, the Lions’ defense is going to be taking a step backwards, but drafting Brown could lessen the regression.

Next: Who do the Lions select in our NFL Mock Draft?

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