4 Carolina Panthers players who must realize their potential in 2022
By Dean Jones
![(Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports) Yetur Gross-Matos (Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports) Yetur Gross-Matos](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fcatcrave-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2017-2F07-2F16614282-850x560-b266fb804012be6f458f92245e9c5280b0785eb9f5684249252f11231af765cf.jpg)
Derrick Brown – Carolina Panthers DT
Derrick Brown has an exceptional amount of talent. There have also been times when the defensive tackle’s flashed true game-changing dominance over his first two seasons in the NFL.
However, the Carolina Panthers did not draft Brown at No. 7 overall to just flash.
They took him high because those in power felt this could be a Pro Bowl or better defensive lineman that can anchor the defense for the next decade.
In fairness to Brown, he gets double-teamed on almost every play and has done from the moment he stepped onto an NFL field. Something that’s unlikely to change next season after the Panthers lost DaQuan Jones and Haason Reddick in free agency.
Brown is about to embark on his third professional campaign. A time when defensive players normally make strides providing they are good enough.
The Panthers need Brown firing on all cylinders from start to finish. This will improve his own numbers and also free up enough space for the likes of Brian Burns and Yetur Gross-Matos to operate.
If Brown can finally start realizing the potential he has more consistently, the sky’s the limit. It could also make him a very wealthy man in the not-too-distant future.