Carolina Panthers: 7 Round 2020 NFL Mock Draft led by Derrick Brown

In this Carolina Panthers 2020 NFL mock draft, they add a premier defensive lineman to the mix and heavily address many of their defensive woes.

Heading into the 2020 NFL Draft, the Carolina Panthers have made it clear what their top priorities are. General manager Marty Hurney confirmed as the Panthers finalize their draft board, it’s all about addressing their defense. It’s no secret that the Panthers have some major areas of need all over the defensive side of the ball.

Needless to say, the top priority for the Panthers to address in the first round is on their defensive line as they’re expected to take the best available player with the No. 7 overall pick. They would also be wise to add a cornerback or two as well as a linebacker. As the draft progresses and they add young talent at these key defensive positional groups, they should also be able to hit just a few areas on offense.

The Panthers have mostly focused on offense so far this offseason which is half the battle. They have a new quarterback in Teddy Bridgewater, some new wide receivers in Robby Anderson, Keith Kirkwood, and Pharoh Cooper, plus have added new talent to their offensive line. If anything, they need to add a new tight end and another offensive guard for depth.

Carolina Panthers NFL Draft Order

At this point in time, the Panthers have eight draft picks in total as here is their NFL Draft order:

Round 1: No. 7
Round 2: No. 38
Round 3: No. 69
Round 4: No. 113
Round 5: No. 148 (from Washington Redskins), No. 152
Round 6: No. 184
Round 7: No. 221

Let’s begin this full 7 Round NFL Mock Draft that sees the Panthers address their defense heavily within the first five rounds. This will be essential in building the defensive foundation needed to rebuild the right way to hopefully be contenders again within the next few years.

The Panthers finally get the man they’ve had at the top of their draft board for months now. With the No. 7 overall pick in this year’s draft, the Panthers select defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn. The 6-4, 326lbs defensive juggernaut will answer a lot of issues the Panthers’ defensive line has had for years now.

Brown brings speed, aggression, and tenacity to a defensive line that was in dire need of someone with such a sense of urgency. Not only will he be able to instantly be a starter this upcoming season, but he will be a true force to reckon with. Best of all, he specializes in stopping the run which was such a major area of need last season for the Panthers.

In four years at Auburn, Brown totaled 12.5 sacks, 170 tackles, and five forced fumbles. Brown is all about disrupting plays and making his presence felt every single time he steps foot on the field. If the Panthers can build around him, he has the leadership qualities to rally his troops when needed.

This is a great start for the Panthers to usher in a new era in the franchise with making this decision to draft a defensive cornerstone for years to come. Brown has the potential to be a future team captain, Pro Bowler, and the next household name for the Panthers.