The Carolina Panthers have selected former Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Brown fills an instant need for the Panthers, as they had the NFL’s worst run defense in 2019. His versatility to play multiple positions on the defensive line fits into the mold that new head coach Matt Rhule has said he wants from his players. In that vein, this pick makes some sense for Carolina — it blends a major need with one of the better players available on the board after a brief run on quarterbacks in the picks before Carolina’s.
My take
I think this is both a good and a bad pick for the Panthers. Brown is clearly talented, but I think that defensive weapon Isaiah Simmons would probably have been a better choice here. The Panthers need more than just a defensive tackle to fix their problems on defense from 2019, and Simmons would have given Rhule more flexibility. However, it’s hard to complain about the Panthers taking one of the best players on the board in the top 10, and all we can do now is hope it works out for the best.
Poll
What grade do you give the Panthers’ choice at No. 7 overall?
This poll is closed
-
49%
A
-
35%
B
-
8%
C
-
2%
D
-
4%
F