Highlights of Bill Belichick's Post Round-One Press Conference

The New England Patriots selected defensive tackle Malcom Brown with the 32nd overall pick in yesterday's first round of the 2015 NFL Draft. After the conclusion of the round, head coach/general manager Bill Belichick stepped in front of the media to answer some questions. Here are the highlights of this press conference.

Transcript via patriots.com.

Opening Statement

All right. Late one for us. I think this has been a good process here. A lot of work from [director of player personnel] Nick Caserio and [director of college scouting] Monti Ossenfort; our scouting staff. They really worked hard over the last really year, but even…I feel like we were well prepared for the whole process, even though we got a late start on it in February. Those guys did a great job, and the coaches as well. [We] just sat there and watched a lot of names come off the board, but [we] feel good about our selection of Malcom [Brown] at 32. We’ll see how it goes. He’s a guy that’s played inside, on the nose, all the way outside to the five-technique, kind of everywhere in between. He’s been moved around a little bit: played a little more outside this year, a little in Coach [Charlie] Strong’s defense; a little more inside with the previous staff. He has plenty of snaps in a variety of spots. [I] look forward to working with him and [we’ll] see how it goes here tomorrow.

On Brown's Maturity

Q: How much do you like his maturity and what he’s shown with his family life?

BB: Yeah. I think that’s impressive. Staying in school, finishing up at Texas, starting a new program this year in his [junior] year and all that, I think he did a lot of things that would lend themselves to making good decisions, being loyal, committed, sticking with it, finishing
the job, all that type of thing.

On Brown's Development as a Player

Q: What do you like most about him that will translate to being a good pro?

BB: I think for anybody to make that transition, it takes a lot of things. Hopefully he’s got all the components that are necessary, or at least a lot of them. He’s got a long way to go, like every rookie does coming in. He’s got a lot of work to do, a lot to learn. It’s a lot different in this league, playing against a lot bigger people on the other side of the ball. But we think he’s got an opportunity to do that. We’ll work with him and see how it goes.

Q: What kind of evolution did you see from his [second] season to his [third] season?

BB: He just played outside a little bit more this year than he did in the past. I think for a guy his size to play out there and be a little bit more in space, you just saw him in some different situations, different matchups than you did when he was between the guards, on the center or in the gap, or that kind of thing.

On Brown's Athleticism

Q: Is part of what makes him rare his athleticism for a player his size?

BB: Yeah, I think he’s athletic for 320 [pounds] or whatever he is.

Q: How does that show up on the field?

BB: He can run, plays on his feet. He’s got good quickness.

Q: Were there any characteristics that made Malcom Brown stand out to you?

BB: Well, based on the players that were on the board, we felt like he was the best player for us. So, a combination of his talent, work ethic, production, skill set relative to what we’re looking for. We felt like he was the best for us.

On Brown's Versatility

Q: How much does versatility along the line impact or impress you about him?

BB: I think it’s a little bit unusual for a guy that size. He’s got a variety of skills, but it’s not unprecedented or anything. I don’t think this is something that’s never happened before. I certainly wouldn’t put him in that kind of category.

On Trading Pick 32

Q: How close were you to trading that pick?

BB: We picked Brown.

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To read the entire transcript or watch Belichick's press conference in full-length please visit patriots.com.