When asked who could be the New England Patriots' defensive MVP in 2015, Texas Longhorns alum and current Bleacher Report NFL analyst Chris Simms chose one of his own.

“Hook ‘em Horns, fellow alumni, but Malcom Brown, he’s a guy that really jumps out to me,” said Simms. “First of all, because he’s ultra-talented. The second reason is this – I worked up in New England, I know a lot of coaches, people in the front office, and basically they’ve been in awe of Malcom Brown and what he’s done through minicamp, OTAs.”

Simms, who spent seven seasons in the NFL and served as a Patriots coaching assistant in 2012, added another note on what he’s heard from members of the organization.

“They are shocked, still, that they got Malcom Brown at pick No. 32 in the first round,” he shared. “In fact, one of them told me, ‘Now we know what it feels like to be the Jets and get Muhammad Wilkerson at pick No. 30.’”

It is high praise for the 21-year-old All-American defensive tackle, being placed in same sentence as Wilkerson, a 3-4 defensive end who has accrued 237 tackles, 24.5 sacks and seven forced fumbles since arriving in New York in 2011 out of Temple.

But Simms explained where that comparison comes from.

“We all know Bill Belichick; he runs every defense under the sun. Malcom Brown can play every position under the sun as far as the defensive line is concerned – nose tackle, three-technique, five-technique in the 3-4 defense. But the big thing is, I think he’ll be the best run-stopper. He’ll be the most disruptive defensive lineman on this football team. And most of all, he’s going to have true pass-rush value.”

The 6-foot-2, 320-pound Brown recorded 165 tackles, 29 tackles for loss, 8.5 sacks, 14 quarterback pressures, six pass deflections and two forced fumbles over his three collegiate seasons.

He’ll look to add to those totals alongside Sealver Siliga, Dominique Easley, Alan Branch, Chris Jones and others in Foxborough.

Related: Four notes on the Patriots' group of defensive tackles