5 Carolina Panthers players with potential to dominate in 2021
By Dean Jones
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
There was plenty of debate regarding whether the Carolina Panthers made the correct call by taking Derrick Brown at No. 7 in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Auburn standout enjoyed a phenomenal college career, but some sections of the team’s fanbase wanted the organization to go with Clemson linebacker Isaiah Simmons after he fell out of the top five.
After just one season, it already appears as if the Panthers made the right call. Brown grew in stature after some early growing pains as a rookie and looks like a stud in the making.
His ability to generate pressure in opposing backfields was notable and something that analysts doubted before Brown entered the next level.
There is some work to do when it comes to stopping the run. But there is usually plenty of progress made in this category once incoming college players get a little more experience under their belts.
Couple this with the addition of run-stuffer DaQuan Jones from the Tennessee Titans in free agency, Carolina’s pickup of inside linebacker Denzel Perryman, and more of a threat coming off the edge with Brian Burns and Haason Reddick, things look good for Brown in no uncertain terms.
This is a player that could become one of the league’s best in no time at all. Brown was one of the most double-teamed players at the position as a rookie, which is a strong indicator of how highly he is regarded across the league.