Underrated Panthers star earns top-5 ranking from NFL analyst

Defensive tackles are more in demand now than they have ever been. The numbers show that quick interior pressure is the best way to disrupt modern quarterbacks, giving interior rushers a huge profile boost.

As important as they are in today’s game, there are so many great interior defensive linemen that it’s not uncommon for even great defenders at the position to fly under the radar.

That’s certainly the case for Carolina Panthers stud Derrick Brown, who’s been performing at an elite level since entering the league back in 2020. Those who know ball recognize Brown’s ability, though.

Brown is the highest-rated player at his position in Madden NFL 27, and recently earned a top-five ranking at his position from Bucky Brooks at NFL.com. Brooks puts the Pro Bowler at No. 5:

The seventh-year pro’s instincts, awareness and violence allow him to be a disruptive presence in the backfield as a rugged player who embodies the ultra-physical approach demanded by Panthers general manager (and former Pro Bowl linebacker) Dan Morgan. As the standard bearer for run-stuffing DTs — with 65-plus tackles in each of his last three healthy seasons — Brown has the ability to clog up lanes while enhancing the pass rush as a pocket pusher. He’s a cornerstone of Carolina’s rising defense under Ejiro Evero.

The seventh-year pro’s instincts, awareness and violence allow him to be a disruptive presence in the backfield as a rugged player who embodies the ultra-physical approach demanded by Panthers general manager (and former Pro Bowl linebacker) Dan Morgan. As the standard bearer for run-stuffing DTs — with 65-plus tackles in each of his last three healthy seasons — Brown has the ability to clog up lanes while enhancing the pass rush as a pocket pusher. He’s a cornerstone of Carolina’s rising defense under Ejiro Evero.

Always a great run stuffer, Brown took a leap forward as a pass rusher last season. In addition to posting a career-high 5.0 sacks, he also tallied 11 quarterback hits and 35 pressures.

This year, Brown’s numbers in this department should, in theory, get even better thanks to the signing of outside linebacker Jaelan Phillips and the selection of second-round defensive lineman Lee Hunter.

Looking ahead, Brown is still under contract through the 2028 season. Hopefully, the Panthers will have fielded a true championship contender by then—because it would be a crying shame if Brown never gets a fair look from a wider audience.

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This article originally appeared on Panthers Wire: Underrated Panthers star earns top-5 ranking from NFL analyst