The question of the day: is Derrick Brown good, elite, or fine?

[electro's horse]

How good is Derrick Brown? 

 

Going by just simple counting stats, 2022 was by far his best year and he's shown steady improvement. And this is good; number go up. I'm sure there's a way to compare this to other DT in the NFL on a wide scale, but I'm lazy and everything is subscription now. 

 

 

According to these numbers from PFF, he's about top ten, he just doesn't get to the QB very much, or hasn't yet in his career. 

Brown has overcome a great deal of adversity in his career, most notably from his former coach Matt Rhule. Recall Rhule benched him because the team struggled against the run one game and blamed it on him. 

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Over the past two games, the Panthers have done a poor job of stopping the run and at times, the run game has given Carolina a ton of issues this season. Much of that has to do with guys not staying in their gaps up front, including Brown. According to Rhule, Brown bounced back in a nice way against Miami. 

"Besides with his position coach, I met with him one on one last Wednesday morning at like 7 a.m., I met with him after the game. I think he was just as disappointed as we were but I think there was some growth from his perspective in terms of understanding if I do these things, I'll be successful. You go through this adversity, these ups and downs, and some guys stray from the process of being technique-driven and some guys go back to it. I think Derrick was starting to stray from it and it looks like this week, based on the tape, that he got back to it and did an excellent job in there."

He admittedly had a rough transition to the NFL, but he didn't come into a great situation. Rhule was obviously a clown, and that 2020 was going to be in a lot of situations where teams were just running out the clock. And I can't find the article but he was jerked around at what technique he was going to play as well. 

But Brown was obviously better on the field this year. He made SEVERAL eye opening plays, and if nothing else showed that he's not taking anything off. 

Most interesting for me is that apparently Brown was mentioned in the trade negotiations with the Bears..

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According to Joseph Person, Adam Jahns and Kevin Fishbain of The Athletic, Poles asked the Panthers about Moore, pass-rusher Brian Burns and defensive tackle Derrick Brown during negotiations.

https://bleacherreport.com/articles/10071041-nfl-rumors-bears-also-eyed-brian-burns-derrick-brown-in-panthers-trade-for-top-pick

Now I don't know if that was in exchange for Moore, or as an add on, and make all the jokes you want about the Bears front office, but it's interesting that we (apparently) said no. 

And now we've picked up his fifth year option. 

Brown gets a lot of poo because he didn't immediately come into the NFL and dominate, with some people ludicrously stating unless someone is Aaron Donald you don't spend a first round pick on DT. Obviously we'd all spend a first on Fletcher Cox, Big Jeff, Vita Vea etc. But by his own admission he didn't play well when he got here. 

But he's playing well now, and has gotten better every year. And the new coaching staff apparently values him. 

So what say you? Is he fine? Just a space eater DT who'll walk after his fifth year and end up as a rotational dlineman in like Dallas?

Is he good? Will he become the Shaq or Donte Jackson of the defensive line, where he's always kinda overpaid and just good enough not to get rid of?

Or is he actually going to be elite? Did hurn dog do it one last time? Is he going to blow up with competent coaching behind him for the first time in his career?

[Mistuh Jones]

He's a demon, is what he is. And I feel we ain't seen nothin' yet outta him TBH. 

[Varking]

Depends on what you want out of your defensive tackle. Take up space, eat blockers and make a play against the run? He’s ideal. Want him to sack the QB? You can’t ignore his lack of sacks and thus he’s almost through his rookie contract and has how many sacks in his career?

[thefuzz]

Strangely, a mix of Star and KK.

If he can stay healthy, I think he will be extended.  Good to very good player, and DT/DE is just too hard to come by not to keep him around.

[FuFuLamePoo]

He’s solid

[Sean Payton's Vicodin]

Not Chris Jones/Dex Lawrence/Donald tier but still pretty good.

[ColumbusCounty]

Hell yeah you sign that man. Unless he turns into YGM after the alignment switch. 

Imho, he'll be even better in this new scheme based on his playing style. That's a relentless man ... not only does he push the pocket but he grabbed a pretty athletic INT btw. Not to mention his batted passes and blocked FG's. His best ball is ahead of him. 

[micnificent28]

he's solid. Guy dissappears to often to be elite or a pro bowler. But he is above average. Not a jag but also not a god send. Could this change? possibly... still need further refinement.

[Sgt Schultz]

I think he is good and I am hoping he turns into very good or even elite between his own career progression and a defensive scheme change.

I have high hopes our current coaching adapts to put personnel in a position to succeed instead of plugging them in and hoping they succeed. 

[CarolinaRideorDie]

I think he is above average. The biggest question is how much will he want in his next contract. I don't think he is a top 5 DT, and should not command that much money. His production doesn't match top 5 DT salary. He does need to show out this year. 

[Ricky Spanish]

Based on last season I think he's good. 

If we didn't have him we'd be in a much worse situation. 

[Pup McBarky]

We'll know a lot more after we see him play several games in Evero's defense.

 

[carpanfan96]

He's a perfect fit for what Evero wants his doing to do.  I expect him to take another step and go from good/elite to elite this season. 

[theinstrumental]

He’s very good. He doesn’t affect the QB enough to get to “elite,” but he’s as good of a run defender as you’re going to find.