Derrick Brown named Panthers’ most pivotal rookie for upcoming season

The former Auburn standout was selected by the Carolina Panthers with the seventh overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

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NFL.com’s Lance Zierlein has released his list of each NFL team’s most important rookie ahead of the 2020 season and former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown has made the list.

This should come as no surprise to anyone familiar with Brown’s potential. The Panthers drafted Brown seventh overall in this year’s draft after a successful Auburn career detailed with All-American accolades and 170 career tackles.

After going 5-11 and losing eight straight games last fall, the Panthers franchise knew it was time to make huge adjustments. It began in early December when Panthers owner David Tepper announced the firing of Ron Rivera with just four weeks left in the season. Nearly a month later, the Panthers announced former Baylor head coach Matt Rhule would fulfill the role.

At Baylor, Rhule became the first head coach in Power 5 history to take a team from 11 losses to 11 wins within a two year span of time. Can he turn this Panthers team around as well?

Defensively, yes.

According to Zierlein, “Carolina allowed 31 rushing touchdowns and 5.2 ypc last season (both NFL worsts).”

THIS is why the Panthers need a guy like Derrick Brown. Zierlein goes on to explain why this is the perfect opportunity for Brown,

“The talented defensive tackle from Auburn is an obvious call here. Brown is big, but also performs to his size with above-average play strength and a willingness to chase the ball outside his gap responsibilities.”

What’s not to love about an athletic big man capable of annihilating offensive plays in open space? Absolutely nothing.