The Carolina Panthers need to rely on their 2020 draft class more than any other NFL team this season. Week 1 was a good debut for a couple of the rookies who wound up starting on defense.
Here is how the kids did in Week 2 against the Buccaneers.
DT Derrick Brown
This was a poor showing from Carolina’s top-10 pick. Brown committed two bad penalties on third down Sunday, bailing Tampa out in a couple of critical situations. He also did nothing to push the pocket and get pressure on Tom Brady in the absence of the injured Kawann Short. It’s only one game, but this was a forgettable one for Brown, who had just one tackle.
LB Jeremy Chinn
For the second straight week, Chinn impressed fans and analysts with his performance. Chinn has demonstrated plus range for a linebacker and has proven to be a harder hitter and better tackler than advertised.
Jeremy Chinn. pic.twitter.com/gx7vWrg8wa
— John Ellis (@OnePantherPlace) September 20, 2020
Chinn tied cornerback Rasul Douglas for a team-high seven combined tackles.
DT Bravvion Roy
Roy did not see much playing time in Week 2 despite the injury to Short leaving the interior rotation short-handed. He played 28% of the defensive snaps and made one stop.
CB Troy Pride Jr.
After starting last week against the Raiders, Pride mostly stayed on the sidelines against Tampa. Douglas took his place in the lineup and Pride wound up only playing 13% of the team’s defensive snaps.
As for the rest, defensive end Yetur Gross-Matos missed this week after getting poked in the eye at practice and going into the concussion protocol. Fifth-rounder Kenny Robinson remains on the practice squad and seventh-rounder Stantley Thomas-Oliver has been inactive in both games.
