The Carolina Panthers will soon begin trimming their roster down from 80 players to 53 in preparation for the regular season. One guy who we know is going to make the cut is first-round pick Derrick Brown, a defensive tackle out of Auburn who the team selected at No. 7 overall in the draft.
Brown has been named to the preseason All-Rookie team by Doug Farrar at Touchdown Wire.
“Lining up everywhere from edge to nose shade, Brown proved to be a game-wrecker for the Tigers, with 12.5 sacks and 33 tackles for loss in his four-year career. Brown will be more of a true-run-stopper than an every-down pass-rusher at 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, but that’s exactly what Carolina needs, and Brown will sneak through more than once to disrupt the passer, as well.”
Brown’s versatility and ability to push the pocket should earn him serious playing time as a rookie. We are projecting he will start next to Kawann Short.
If history is any indication, the Panthers got a good one with Brown. Every pick they’ve made in the top 10 since the year 2000 has gone on to become an All-Pro.
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