The Carolina Panthers have selected former Auburn Tigers defensive tackle Derrick Brown with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
Brown fills an instant need for the Panthers, as they had the NFL’s worst run defense in 2019. His versatility to play multiple positions on the defensive line fits into the mold that new head coach Matt Rhule has said he wants from his players. In that vein, this pick makes some sense for Carolina — it blends a major need with one of the better players available on the board after a brief run on quarterbacks in the picks before Carolina’s.