Derrick Brown holds highest PFF grade amongst all Panthers

Numbers usually don’t tell the story of how effective a defensive tackle can be. But they do about Derrick Brown, who’s having an emergent 2022 season.

The 2020 first-round pick has grown into his own and has truly taken over the middle of the Carolina Panthers’ trench this year. And that shows on the traditional stat sheet—as he’s up to a career-high 48 tackles through just 10 games.

In the less conventional category, Brown is shining on Pro Football Focus’ scale. He currently holds a team-high 89.5 overall grade—which ranks eighth amongst all interior defenders and first (by far) of any NFC South defender. (Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker is a distant second at 81.3.)

This is a marked improvement from the last two years, where Brown graded at a 61.0 in 2020 and a 64.4 in 2021. His development has been a big boon to a Panthers defense that has been a huge strength to the team and a part of its overall identity.

If he can continue his All Pro-caliber season, with help from a few friends, the Panthers may be able to get back into the NFC South race.