2020 NFL Mock Draft: Carolina Panthers bolster defensive line

Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn

With Justin Herbert, Jerry Jeudy, and Henry Ruggs available, the temptation may be there for the offensive-minded Matt Rhule to take a fun toy, but the best pick is Brown in this scenario. The fit, the need, and the best player available all line up well for Rhule and the new Carolina Panthers.

If the board falls the way it has in this scenario, the Panthers will be very tempted to trade down with a QB needy team, looking at you Patriots, Saints, and even the Dolphins (have two more first they could bundle), or even a team that wants their pick of all the tackles still available. With all these possibilities (in real life) they still might stay put and draft this absolute stud.

This pick is the type of pick that wins future championships. Though Brown is not a sexy pick, an interior lineman on either side of the ball is never what a fan wants to see on the opening night of the draft, it is the kind of pick that turns a defense around. I liken this to the Eagles taking Fletcher Cox.

Brown measured in at 6’5” 326 (at the combine) and looked every bit of it while dominating the middle of the defensive line. He eats up all runners who dare to and run up the middle and will instantly make an impact as a run stuffer. He already possesses the power, strength and will to be elite in Year 1 at stopping the run. I know, no one drafts a guy in the top 10 to stop the run but what an added bonus! This guy has double-digit sack potential written all over him as well. He moves like a guy 100 pounds lighter and has the physical make up to be dominant in collapsing the pocket or shoot gaps to get to the QB.

Now to the downsides of Brown. The guy did not have the best combine in the world and he plays with a lack of technique. I don’t love combine heroes as most of them are busts. So for some to say he’s not that athletic, they must not have watched any tape on this kid (did I mention he will have just turned 22 at the draft). The tape doesn’t lie and the tape says draft this kid! The lack of technique is definitely a knock on him but he simply has not needed to use it throughout his college career. He simply has dominated by using sheer force and athleticism. He has all the tools to become an elite pass rusher to match his run defense but just needs some coaching. All this is saying is that he is a defensive line coach’s dream as there is almost limitless potential to untap.

I believe that the Carolina Panther’s simply need to make this pick because it makes the most sense for the best player available and fills a monster hole on defense that lost a good chunk of talent over the spring. Fans that are groaning that they selected a defensive lineman in the top 10 will be talking about how excited they are by Brown in three years.

2020 BGN Mock Draft Order

1) Bengals (grantspectations): QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington (ablesser88): EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions (CMG97): CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants (selgae aihpledalihp): LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins (dceagles): WR CeeDee Lamb
6) Chargers (dapeltz13): QB Tua Tagovailoa
7) Panthers (wardbell92): DT Derrick Brown
8) Cardinals (drc242):
9) Jaguars (Palaniappan K M):
10) Browns (WentzAndFolesFan):
11) Jets (Dr_Horrible):
12) Raiders (Phillysolo)
13) 49ers (eagles0132):
14) Buccaneers (BuckeyedEagles):
15) Broncos (J. Wil):
16) Falcons (Kephas)
17) Cowboys (PhillyBirdGang):
18) Dolphins (dshelton5):
19) Raiders (fredhugo):
20) Jaguars (ItownBallers22)
21) Eagles (20Safety_Hazards)
22) Vikings (Kramerpoo):
23) Patriots (Phoenix X Minimus)
24) Saints (big DUB):
25) Vikings (MrW254):
26) Dolphins (SemperFilly):
27) Seahawks (mattywils):
28) Ravens (Dirtybirdy47):
29) Titans (mr_england):
30) Packers (Nishant R SambhiReddy):
31) 49ers (Fly Like An Eagle):
32) Chiefs (Leo Bedio):

Now it’s time for you to vote for who YOU think the Panthers should pick in the 2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft.

2020 BGN Community Consensus Mock Draft

1) Bengals: QB Joe Burrow
2) Washington: EDGE Chase Young
3) Lions: CB Jeff Okudah
4) Giants: LB Isaiah Simmons
5) Dolphins: QB Tua Tagovailoa
6) Chargers: QB Justin Herbert
7) Panthers: