Carolina Panthers Mock Draft: Callihan predicts Derrick Brown at No. 7

Sports Illustrated’s Schuyler Callihan joins the majority of Carolina Panthers mock drafts out there which sees them selecting defensive end Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall pick.

Isaiah Simmons? Tua Tagovailoa? Derrick Brown? No matter where you stand on the ongoing debate on what direction the Carolina Panthers should take with their first-round draft pick, we’ll all know soon enough. As the Panthers prepare for the 2020 NFL Draft, it’s safe to say that they could go a number of different ways with the No. 7 overall pick.

Common sense says that they will more than likely take a defensive player. Some draft pundits believe since the Panthers are on Year 1 of their rebuild, they should take the best player available at No. 7 regardless of position. You know, one of those “once-in-a-generation” athletes that still be a superstar for years to come, even if it’s a quarterback. At any rate, what general manager Marty Hurney decides to do will more than likely decide his fate with the organization over the next few years.

A recent mock draft by Sports Illustrated’s Schuyler Callihan revealed that he believes, like the majority of mock drafts out there, that the Panthers will go with what makes the most football sense. He predicts the Panthers will go with defensive end Derrick Brown of Auburn to bolster their defensive line.

The Carolina Panthers need a player like Derrick Brown

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Not only does Brown fill an immediate need but he specializes in stopping the run. This has been a huge area of opportunity for the Panthers as he could finally address it immediately upon arrival. Brown has had an impressive career at Auburn that saw him be known for being a human tackling machine and being very disruptive against opposing quarterbacks.

With 12.5 sacks and 170 tackles to his name, his production will be a welcomed sight on a Panthers’ defense that is in dire need of a facelift. Not just a facelift but also adding players like Brown that can create a new identity as they rebuild for a brighter future. Since things are looking better on offense due to an active free agency, it would be great to see the Panthers heavily focus on defense in this year’s draft.

Of course, considering Hurney’s past, anything can truly happen when the Panthers are on the clock. There could very well be a surprise pick made that will drive fans insane with the No. 7 overall pick or even the possibility of trading down to acquire more draft picks. Either way, the Panthers should hopefully not get it wrong and stick to addressing a major need on defense with a top-ten pick.

Must Read. Complete 7 Round Carolina Panthers Mock Draft. light

Anything else and well, that’s just asking for problems not just from loyal fans but from a rebuilding point of view. If you want to be a contender in the NFL, it’s important to field a stout defense that can handle anything coming their way. It doesn’t matter how many points your offense scores as if you can’t do simple things like stopping the run or being decent in pass coverage, you’ll be on the outside looking in. At least by drafting Brown, it’s a big step in the right direction on defense.

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