The Panthers made some serious investments in their personnel this year. Matt Rhule got a seven-year, $60 million deal that reshaped the power structure within the organization, Teddy Bridgewater signed a three-year contract that makes him the franchise quarterback for the foreseeabe future, and Christian McCaffrey signed a huge extension that made him the highest-paid running back in the history of the NFL.
The team also used that most precious of resources – their first-round draft pick – on former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown. Whether or not he lives up to his status as a top-10 pick will be a significant factor in deciding just how good Carolina’s defense will be this season.
Brown spoke with reporters by Zoom today and laid out some of his goals for his rookie year, saying he wants to understand everything so he can play the way defensive coordinator Phil Snow wants – fast.
Brown is projected to start up front next to the veteran Kawann Short, who Brown says he was able to practice with some this offseason.
The first draft pick to sign his deal with the Panthers this year, Brown’s four-year, $23.6 million deal is fully guaranteed.
