4 positions the Carolina Panthers shouldn’t draft in round one
By Dean Jones
Defensive Tackle
The Carolina Panthers made taking an interior defensive lineman their top priority in the 2020 NFL Draft. Those making the decisions opted to go with Auburn’s Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall selection despite Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons falling out of the top-five, which proved to be the right call if the rookie’s first campaign at the next level was any indication.
Brown answered any preseason doubts about his ability to make a successful transition in no uncertain terms.
The defensive tackle recorded 34 tackles, two sacks, eight tackles for loss, 12 quarterback hits, four passes defended, and 17 pressures from 70 percent of Carolina’s defensive snaps in 2020, earning a creditable 60.7 grade from Pro Football Focus in the process.
Considering how well Zach Kerr and Efe Obada performed alongside Brown once Kawann Short was placed on the reserve/injured list, it doesn’t appear as if the need is that great this time around despite the Pro Bowl lineman a strong candidate to be released.
The Panthers might look to acquire someone like Pittsburgh’s Jaylen Twyman or Alabama’s Christian Barmore later on in the draft to play the three-technique and eventually become Brown’s long-term partner. But it would be a huge surprise if they utilized their first-rounder on a defensive tackle considering the pressing need for reinforcements elsewhere.