Pro Football Focus has just published their annual list of the top 100 players in the game. And even though the Carolina Panthers had the roughest 2023 season in the entire league, they have a pretty large diamond right in the middle of it.
At No. 36 on the list is, of course, defensive tackle Derrick Brown—who turned up extremely well on tape. PFF lead NFL analyst Sam Monson writes:
Brown was historically disruptive along the defensive line for the Panthers in 2023. He led all interior defenders in defensive stops (53) and solo tackles by PFF’s count (73). His PFF run-defense grade was an elite 90.0, and he missed only five tackles all season.
Speaking of history, Brown set a new single-season record for tackles by a defensive lineman (103). He also recorded new career-highs in quarterback hits (15) and defensive snap share (89.1 percent).
Brown, for his efforts, was named to his first Pro Bowl—replacing Los Angeles Rams star Aaron Donald.
