FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The New England Patriots drafted Texas defensive tackle Malcom Brown on Thursday night, hoping they’ve found a replacement for five-time Pro Bowler Vince Wilfork.
The defending Super Bowl champions took Brown with the 32nd and final pick of the first round after he had been expected to be drafted earlier.
That position became a priority when Wilfork, a five-time Pro Bowler, signed with the Houston Texans after spending all 11 of his NFL seasons with the Patriots.
At 6-feet-2 and 319 pounds, Brown is similar in size to Wilfork and started every game the past two seasons.
It’s the second straight draft in which the Patriots took a defensive tackle in the first round. Last year they chose Dominique Easley from Florida. He played in 11 games but finished the season on injured reserve.
The departure of Wilfork left the Patriots with Easley, Alan Branch, Chris Jones and Sealver Siliga at defensive tackle.
The Patriots also need help at cornerback after last season’s starters left as free agents — Darrelle Revis to the New York Jets and Brandon Browner to the New Orleans Saints.
New England’s returning cornerbacks are Kyle Arrington, Malcolm Butler, Alfonzo Dennard and Logan Ryan. Butler’s interception in the end zone in the final minute preserved the Patriots 28-24 Super Bowl win over the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, New England has signed veteran cornerbacks Chimdi Chekwa, Bradley Fletcher and Robert McClain.
But they remained stable at safety with Devin McCourty, who signed a long-term contract after the season, and Patrick Chung.
The Patriots could go for a running back in one of Friday night’s two rounds after losing Stevan Ridley to the New York Jets and Shane Vereen to the New York Giants. Their only proven running back is LeGarrette Blount. They also have Jonas Gray, Brandon Bolden, 2014 fourth-round pick James White and Travaris Cadet.
They also might choose an offensive lineman with guard Dan Connolly still unsigned after a subpar season.
There’s also the perennial need for a wide receiver, a spot where they have Julian Edelman, Brandon LaFell and Danny Amendola.
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