4 burning questions the Carolina Panthers must answer in 2020

Carolina Panthers Question No. 3: Was Derrick Brown the right pick at No. 7?

It proved to be a memorable draft from the Carolina Panthers in 2020. They became the first in NFL history to allocate every pick on defense. And this has left the unit full of youthful exuberance that

It is vital that the Panthers got their high-end first-round pick right. And they made something of a safe choice by taking former Auburn sensation, Derrick Brown. The defensive tackle has the potential to be their anchor for the next decade. But how he adapts to the rigors of the next level is going to be critical early on.

There is no such thing as a sure-fire pick these days. But one could argue that Brown is as close as you can get. He is a dominant figure in the run game and frees up plenty of space for others to do damage. Some questions remain about his ability to make his presence felt in the backfield in passing situations. But he is a strong character who clearly impressed the decision-makers during the evaluation process.

Whether Brown was the right selection is a question that only the player can answer in 2020 and beyond. There was pressure on Carolina to take Clemson’s do-it-all linebacker Isaiah Simmons after he dropped out of the top five. And others wanted the team to take someone to solidify their offensive line with someone like Tristan Wirfs or Jedrick Wills Jr.

After a flurry of defensive departures in free agency, it was imperative that the Panthers built from the inside out to give their long-term aspirations a boost. Brown will be a huge component in this process. But only time will tell as to whether or not he was the right choice.