4. Panthers Select Derrick Brown in 2020 NFL Draft

The Carolina Panthers had the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft after having a very disappointing 2019 season, finishing with a 5-11 record. The poor performance in 2019 can be blamed for many reasons. It starts with Cam Newton missing 14 games, but most importantly, their defense giving up the second-most points in the NFL.

The Panthers had many glaring holes across their team this past season and the state of affairs only worsened for the defense. Between the retirement of star middle linebacker Luke Kuechly and the departures of interior defensive lineman Dontari Poe and Gerald McCoy to the Dallas Cowboys.

During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Panthers were in prime position to fill one of the glaring holes on their team with one of the top college prospects in the draft while taking the best player available. They did so by selecting former Auburn standout Derrick Brown, immediately landing a starter at defensive tackle.

Brown is one of the top defensive players in this year’s draft class and is undoubtedly the best defensive tackle. The Panthers made a great selection here for a player that has drawn pro-comparisons such as Aaron Donald, Ndamukong Suh, and Haloti Ngata. If Brown lives up to these comparisons, he can be the anchor of their defensive for many years to come.