Sports blog information from USA TODAY.
Did Derrick Brown’s breakout 2022 season earn him a breakout rating in “Madden NFL 24?”
Carolina Panthers defensive tackle Derrick Brown burst onto the scene this past season, putting forth a career campaign that finally made him look like the seventh overall pick the franchise drafted him to be. So, did that reflect in his new “Madden NFL 24” rating?
Here is Brown’s and the rest of the Carolina d-line’s numbers:
Gallery: Updated Carolina Panthers roster by uniform number
With mandatory minicamp commencing this week and a number of adjustments now in the books, let’s take an updated look at the Carolina Panthers’ current 90-man roster.
The Panthers have another uniform number change in the books.
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Brian Burns isn’t the only Carolina Panthers player who’s ready for a new aesthetic in 2023.
As noted by team reporter Darin Gantt on Monday morning, defensive tackle Marquan McCall has also undergone a uniform number change. The second-year defender, formerly No. 78, is now No. 55.
McCall joined the Panthers as an undrafted free agent back on April 30, 2022. He played four years at the University of Kentucky prior—totaling 57 tackles (10.5 for a loss), 1.5 sacks, a pass defensed, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery.
The 6-foot-3, 345-pounder played in 16 games for Carolina during his rookie campaign. He recorded 15 tackles and a quarterback hit over 186 defensive snaps.
Taking up McCall’s old No. 78 will be fellow defensive lineman Jalen Carter, whom the team claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Falcons last Thursday. Carter, a Clemmons, N.C. native and University of North Carolina product, appeared in seven games this past season.
Additionally, running Tiyon Evans—who was also claimed on Thursday alongside Carter—will wear No. 39.
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On Wednesday, Panthers DL coach Todd Wash gave us a better idea of where his players will be positioned along the team’s realigned front.
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Being that the current state of practices is a bit removed from actual football, Carolina Panthers defensive line coach Todd Wash likes to refer to organized team activities (OTAs) as “gym class.” Nonetheless, he still has an idea of what the attendance sheet will look like when the actual football does begin.
On Wednesday, Wash answered questions from reporters for the first time since being hired this offseason. He was first asked about Derrick Brown, who has a few new tweaks to make in the team’s switch to a 3-4 base.
“He’s gonna line up in some of the exact same spots he has before,” Wash said. “Over the guard, over the center. We’re just addin’ another little alignment for him, where he goes out and lines up over a tackle at times. But for the most part, his alignments are the same. The biggest change is gonna be the technique.”
All Brown has known, at least over his three-year NFL career, is how to play as one of two defensive tackles inside of a 4-3 front. But, even after having a career year in that role this past season, the 6-foot-5, 320-pounder must be prepared to expand his game from here on out.
Wash noted that Brown, as well as free-agent addition Shy Tuttle, have the ability to play as ends or nose tackles in the new scheme. He also spoke on who will fit primarily into that nose tackle spot.
“Yeah, we got Marquan [McCall]. We have him penciled in as a nose in our base, along with John Penisini,” Wash said. “I had Peni up in Detroit, and he’s a true nose guard. So once he gets out there and starts practicin’ and stuff with us, we feel we have two guys that are big, stout players on the inside with both McCall and Peni.
“And Bravvion Roy is another guy that’s a nose in our system. He’s really startin’ to flash and show some things in this gym class we call it instead of football.”
The football, as Wash added, starts in training camp—where he expects one heck of a competition within his unit.
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