Derrick Brown ranked in top-five interior defenders in recent league-wide rankings
When the Carolina Panthers inked Derrick Brown to a long-term extension, the franchise knew what others didn’t.
Since Derrick Brown earned his long-term contract extension, the NFL world has woken up to how good he is on the football field.
The pro bowler was ranked No. 4 on Pro Football Focus' interior defender rankings ahead of the 2024 season. The only names ahead of Brown are Chris Jones, Dexter Lawrence, and Quinnen Williams.
"The first player on the list who is more of a run specialist than a pass-rusher, Brown has been the best interior run defender in the game over the past two seasons, earning a 90.1 PFF run-defense grade," writes Sam Monson.
"He tallied a massive 53 defensive stops last season alone, 10 more than any other interior player."
How good is Derrick Brown?
Brown's 2023 season was record-breaking.
He blew past the NFL's single-season tackle record for a defensive lineman, finishing with 103 total. He broke the previous record of 98 tackles set by Christian Wilkins in 2022. In the process, he multiplied the previous franchise record of 67, set by Mike Rucker in 2002 which he tied last year.
It was no surprise, after a year like that, the Panthers were eager to ink Brown to a four-year, $96 million contract extension. And by all accounts, since signing that deal, he has been a model citizen within the organization.
"I think the message for Derrick is that Derrick is that great guy, and great guys who are talented players who work hard and do things the right way get rewarded," Panthers defensive coordinator Ejiro Evero said in April, via the Panthers' website. "And that's exactly what happened. When I think about going back to this time last year when we first got with Derrick, the development that he's had as a player and as a person."
As a result of the deal, Brown finds himself paid among the elite interior defenders in the league.
"It’s an awesome feeling," Brown said in April to Panthers.com reporter Darin Gantt. "I feel like the organization put the belief in me, and allow me just to be able to do what I do.
"Never put too much pressure on me, having high expectations for me always, but allowing me to just be who I am while doing what I do."
Brown is among the best in every sense. Even Pro Football Focus' rankings have to acknowledge his greatness.
Panthers’ new $96 million man has a message fans are absolutely going to love
When the Carolina Panthers’ offseason workout program started Monday, it came with the official signing of star defensive tackle Derrick Brown.
