Panthers draft: Brown must deliver on fully-guaranteed contract
By Dean Jones
The Carolina Panthers draft saw them take defensive tackle Derrick Brown No. 7 overall, and they wasted no time in getting their man tied down long-term.
Defensive tackle Derrick Brown is officially a wealthy man. The Carolina Panthers draft pick got a significant financial commitment from the franchise that selected him seventh overall.
The former Auburn standout received a fully guaranteed, four-year deal worth $23.61 million that also included a $14.73 million signing bonus. He became the first player drafted in the top-ten to sign his rookie deal and will make $610,000 base salary.
The Panthers draft team showed tremendous faith in Brown by taking him ahead of linebacker Isaiah Simmons, who was still on the board when Carolina was on the clock. With this latest show of commitment, the onus is now on the player to deliver.
This is something expected of all first-round rookies. The salary scale shows the steady increases that are expected to be in keeping with an incoming prospect’s progression and overall influence. Brown’s ceiling is enormously high and it would be a huge surprise if he was not renegotiating this contract after three years.
While it proved to be a historic Panthers draft that generated plenty of headlines. However, this novelty will soon wear off if the players selected by head coach Matt Rhule and general manager Marty Hurney do not come off as expected.
The same applies to Brown, who has a tremendous responsibility on his shoulders that has only been heightened by his bumper deal.