2020 NFL Draft: Grades for all 32 first-round picks
7. Defensive Tackle. Auburn. Derrick Brown. player. 87. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Grade: B+
Like many of these teams in the Top 10, there were a number of directions the Carolina Panthers could have gone here at No. 7. While that may be the case, I believe they made a good decision to grab Derrick Brown.
With that said, the Panthers may have had larger needs to fill with this pick. They easily could have grabbed one of the class’ top offensive tackles, a playmaker at wide receiver or Isaiah Simmons, who is a jack-of-all-trades on the defensive end. Still, the value they get with Brown cannot be understated.
Brown brings a powerful presence to the interior of the Carolina defensive line. He can collapse the pocket with his strength and tenacity and excels at slowing the run as well. Lining him up alongside Kawaan Short should give the Panthers an exciting defensive front moving forward.
Plus, if Matt Rhune is looking to change the culture in Carolina, he’s doing it right with the selection of a standup person in Brown.