4 Panthers not named Sam Darnold under most pressure in 2022
By Dean Jones
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
Derrick Brown has a massive third season ahead of him in 2022. The defensive tackle flashed true dominance over his first two years in the league, but much more is expected in the coming months in order for the player to reach his pre-draft potential.
The Carolina Panthers gave Brown a supreme vote of confidence when they selected the Auburn product over Isaiah Simmons at No. 7 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft. Opposing teams know exactly what he’s capable of given how the player quickly became among the league’s most double-teamed defensive tackles and having no long-term partner alongside him on the interior hasn’t been ideal, either.
Brown has been working hard to get his weight down this offseason in pursuit of enhancing performance next time around and looking good for his upcoming wedding. Something that will stand the lineman in good stead to become more influential and consistent between the white lines.
There is nothing to suggest Brown is not capable of this. He is an athletically gifted individual who can wreck a game when given enough space, but there could be more attention on him than ever in 2022 unless Matt Ioannidis gets himself back to the form of old with DaQuan Jones now on the Buffalo Bills.
The Panthers will be relying heavily on Brown next season. Now is the time for the player to deliver consistently.