The Panthers’ defense is starting to look like it could be special as soon as next season. Over the last two games, the unit has had a ton of success shutting down their opponents’ passing attack.
Part of that development is thanks to the team’s rookie class of 2020. Here’s what they did against Washington this week.
DT Derrick Brown finds a new trick
First-rounder Derrick Brown keeps finding new ways to help his team. Last week, he finally broke through and got his first two NFL sacks. Yesterday, Brown continued flashing the power we’ve seen all year and also showed he has a talent for batting down passes at the line of scrimmage.
Derrick Brown knocks down a pass after a T/E stunt pic.twitter.com/cthU55bkDv
— Billy M (@BillyM_91) December 27, 2020
Brown had two pass deflections. He also added another QB hit, bringing his season total to 11.
DE Yetur Gross-Matos gets another sack
It was a banner day for Carolina’s young defensive line, even with Brian Burns being limited by knee and shoulder injuries. Gross-Matos collected one of the team’s three sacks (he now has 2.5 on the year) and posted two quarterback hits.
LB/DB Jeremy Chinn falls behind Chase Young
The league’s Defensive Rookie of the Year race was probably settled on Sunday. While Washington’s stud defensive end Chase Young was a monstrous disruptive force (four tackles, one sack, two quarterback hits, two tackles for a loss), Chinn did not make his normal impact. He did post eight tackles but also committed a bad pass interference penalty after getting burned by tight end Logan Thomas.
CB Troy Pride Jr. sat out
The team’s fourth-round pick was not in the lineup today, as Pride was ruled out due to the hip injury he suffered last week against the Packers.
DBs Myles Hartsfield, Sam Franklin active again
As the season goes on, we’ve seen more from the team’s late-round picks as well as a few of the undrafted free agents. On Sunday, DBs Myles Hartsfield and Sam Franklin both saw action on defense, combining for four tackles.
RB Rodney Smith continues committee work
The Panthers’ running back by committee approach continued against Washington, with Curtis Samuel taking over for Trenton Cannon’s role and looking good doing it. Rodney Smith kept getting touches, however. He only managed 23 yards on seven carries, though.
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