Panthers Select Derrick Brown with No. 7 pick in NFL Draft

Passing on being a first-round pick in 2019, Brown subsequently improved his draft stock

Sports Illustrated | Apr 23, 2020

The Carolina Panthers selected defensive lineman Derrick Brown with the No. 7 pick of the 2020 NFL Draft. Brown was born in Sugar Hill, Georgia, and was a standout lineman at Lanier High School in Buford, GA. During his senior season, Wills racked up 106 tackles (42 for a loss) and 12 quarterback sacks. He was named the U.S. Army All-American Bowl defensive player of the year prior to committing to Auburn in 2016.

Brown was ranked second, behind Ohio State DL Chase Young, as the best defensive lineman heading into the 2020 NFL Draft. Brown (6-foot-5, 320 pounds) is a rock-solid run-stopper and racked up 12.5 sacks as a pass rusher for the Tigers. He closed a stellar four-year career at Auburn by being named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019.

Over his four-year career as a member of the Tigers, he developed into a disruptive force, posting 33 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, four forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. He became a starter as a sophomore in 2017 and has improved his productivity each year. During his final season, Brown had 54 tackles, 4.0 sacks, 11.5 tackles for loss, 4 pass defenses, 2 forced fumbles, and 2 fumble recoveries. He earned All-AP and All-SEC First-Team honors as a senior.

Here’s why SI’s Kevin Hanson ranked Brown as the No. 7 overall player on his big board:

Passing on an opportunity to be a first-round pick in 2019, Brown returned to school and has subsequently improved his draft stock. A scheme-diverse prospect, Brown has elite strength and size and is dominant against the run.

2019 stats (Senior; Auburn): 32 solo tackles, 54 total tackles, 4 sacks (12 games)

2018 stats (Junior; Auburn): 26 solo tackles, 48 total tackles, 4.5 sacks (13 games)

2017 stats (Sophomore; Auburn): 28 solo tackles, 57 total tackles, 3 sacks (13 games)

2016 stats (Freshman; Auburn): 3 solo tackles, 11 total tackles, 1 sack (8 games)

Stick with SI.com throughout the weekend for in-depth coverage of the 2020 NFL Draft, including the impact of prominent rookies joining new teams, team-by-team breakdowns, fantasy football, and gambling reactions, draft grades and so much more.

NFL Draft Exclusives: Sign up for Sports Illustrated’s newsletters and get the latest NFL Draft coverage, analysis and highlights - delivered right to your inbox.

Latest NFL Draft Coverage from Sports Illustrated

Published Apr 23, 2020