INDIANAPOLIS -- Derrick Bown might be the best interior defender in this year’s draft, so it’s no surprise he’s drawn a lot of interest from NFL teams since arriving at the combine. He said he’s already talked to all 32 teams, either formally or informally, and defensive linemen don’t even begin working out until Saturday.

But Brown said his chat with the Lions stood out because of his longstanding relationship with Detroit defensive line coach Bo Davis.

“I got a good relationship with Coach Davis,” Brown said on Thursday during a press conference at the Indianapolis Convention Center. “He recruited me out of high school, so I’ve known Coach Davis for a long time. And, you know, just sat down, had some good talk.”

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Given that Brown is considered the best interior defensive line prospect in this class, and that Detroit’s biggest need just might be interior defensive line, there was probably a lot to talk about.

The Lions were expected to have one of the defensive fronts in the league last year. Instead, they had one of the worst. They won their pass rushes less often than any other defense in the league. They allowed the most passing yards. Even their run defense sucked most of the year before finally stiffening up down the stretch.

Put it all together, and Detroit came within 64 yards of setting the franchise record for defensive futility. The play up front was a big reason for it, and the performances on the interior were especially dreadful. Now Snacks Harrison has been cut, while A’Shawn Robinson and Mike Daniels are eligible to become free agents next month. That leaves Da’Shawn Hand as the top returner on the interior, and he played in just three games last year because of injuries.

Which is why a whole lot of people think Brown could be the guy Detroit is targeting in the first round of the draft, after he wrecked the SEC for 54 tackles, four sacks, two forced fumbles and 11.5 tackles for loss last season. And he did it while facing double-teams on nearly every snap.

The Auburn star is firmly a top-10 prospect, and could go as high as No. 3.

“He’s got rare, rare talent,” ESPN’s Mel Kiper said. "I circled him in just about every game I saw. It was Derrick Brown, Derrick Brown, Derrick Brown. I’m looking at the circles. He is a guy that definitely jumped off the page.”

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Brown mulled declaring for the draft after a good junior season at Auburn, but thought he needed another year of seasoning before he was ready for the jump. Now that he’s a top-10 prospect, the decision certainly appears to have panned out. But the question remains, why wasn’t he more productive sooner? Is he a one-year wonder, or is this new, more productive Brown the real deal?

Are teams getting the 2018 Brown, or the 2019 Brown?

These are the kinds of questions Brown is getting in interviews with teams. His reply is simple.

“That guy (from 2018) don’t exist no more,” he said.

Brown credited his transformation on the birth of his son, Kay, almost one year ago. He’s matured over the last 11 months, become more disciplined and has found consistency because of it. He’s just a big man who pushes the line of scrimmage as well as anybody in the country. And he did it while facing perpetual double-teams in the nation’s toughest conference.

SEC offensive linemen noticed, too.

“Derrick Brown, Auburn Tigers,” said Georgia guard Solomon Kindley, when asked for the best player he ever faced in college. And he didn’t need more than about a quarter-second to think about it.

“I think the toughest opponent all-around I played was Derrick Brown,” LSU center Lloyd Cushenberry said. “He’s the total package. Great power, speed, getting on you fast.”

Detroit could certainly use an interior presence like that. This scheme needs strong interior play to work. That’s one of the reasons the Lions were so good when Harrison was playing at a high level after the trade in 2018, and why the defense fell apart when Harrison and everyone else struggled in 2019. Detroit didn’t have anyone who could push people around inside.

Brown can push people around.

The three-hole might be a little rich for an interior defender, which is why guys like Tua Tagovailoa, Jeff Okudah and Isiah Simmons are in the discussion for Detroit as well. Then again, this club needs an interior defender, and maybe no one is better or more refined at that position than Brown.

Detroit also found success the last time it took a defensive tackle that high, drafting Ndamukong Suh second overall in 2010. Suh went on to become defensive rookie of the year, was named first-team All-Pro three times and was voted to four Pro Bowls in five dominant seasons with Detroit.

Now some are saying Brown is a Suh-like prospect. He isn’t shying away from the comp, either.

“I respect Suh a lot as a player,” he said. "He’s a guy that plays with power, so that’s not a bad comparison.

“I’m ready (if Detroit drafts me). If that’s my calling, then that’s what I’m going to do.”