The Panthers have selected defensive tackle Derrick Brown out of Auburn with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.
The 2019 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, Brown has been one of the Panthers expected targets throughout the pre-draft process. In his senior year at Auburn, Brown anchored the defense with 12.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and a pair of fumble recoveries. Brown's performance earned him consensus All-American distinction, as well as first-team All-SEC honors. He was also a finalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award (given to the nation's top defensive player) and the Outland Trophy (given to the nation's top interior lineman) in 2019.
Additionally, Brown exemplified being a student-athlete at Auburn, as he was awarded the Lott IMPACT Trophy, given to the best defensive player who displays the qualities of integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. And he was the Senior CLASS Award winner in 2019, which is presented to the top student-athlete in the nation.
In all, Brown was a three-year starter at Auburn recording 170 career tackles and 33.5 tackles for loss.
NFL.com's Daniel Jeremiah ranked Brown as the No. 4 overall prospect in the 2020 draft class, noting Brown's "excellent size, power, and athleticism for the defensive tackle position."
"As a pass rusher, he has a quick first step and uses his hands very effectively," Jeremiah writes. "He wins with a violent club/swim move, a rip move or a nifty up-and-under counter move. Against the run, he easily holds the point of attack. The Auburn product creates separation from blockers with an explosive punch, which allows him to close quickly and make plays. His effort is consistent. Overall, this is a complete player capable of dominating on all three downs. He'll be a difference maker on Day 1."
Brown checked in at the NFL Combine in February at 6-foot-5 and 326 pounds, putting up 28 bench press reps.
View photos of Carolina's first-round pick, Derrick Brown, out of Auburn.
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown poses for a portrait during the 2020 NFL Scouting Combine, Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Indianapolis. (Todd Rosenberg via AP)
Auburn defensive lineman Dontavius Russell (95) and Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) run onto the field before an NCAA college football game against Southern Miss, Saturday, Sept. 29, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Derrick Brown Music City Bowl Purdue vs Auburn on Friday, Dec. 28, 2018 in Nashville, TN. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn football vs Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, AK. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown during the first half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of the Outback Bowl NCAA college football game against Minnesota Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)
FILE - In this Oct. 19, 2019, Auburn defender Derrick Brown (5) plays against Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, in Fayetteville, Ark. Brown was selected to The Associated Press All-America team, Monday, Dec. 16, 2019. (AP Photo/Michael Woods, File)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) reacts after a stop against Georgia during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 16, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) waits for a play to start against Texas A&M during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019, in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Auburn defensive end Derrick Brown warms up before playing Arkansas during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks tries to get away from Auburn defender Derrick Brown as he scrambles out of the pocket during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown puts pressure on Arkansas quarterback Ben Hicks during an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2019 in Fayetteville, Ark. (AP Photo/Michael Woods)
Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) stops Alabama State running back Tallesin Farmer (32) during the first half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Vasha Hunt)
Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) looks on before playing Oregon in an NCAA college football game Saturday, Aug. 31, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Auburn won 27-21. (AP Photo/Ron Jenkins)
Tulane running back Corey Dauphine (6) carries the ball as Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown (5) closes in during the second half of an NCAA college football game Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, in Auburn, Ala. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
FILE - In this Sept. 9, 2017, file photo, Clemson quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) is tackled by Auburn defensive lineman Derrick Brown (5) during the second half of an NCAA college football game, in Clemson, S.C. A team that averaged 40 points a game last season managed just two touchdowns at home last week. Quarterback Kelly Bryant understands that must improve this week facing potent No. 14 Louisville and Heisman Trophy winner Lamar Jackson. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn vs Ole Miss football on Saturday, Nov 2, 2019 in Auburn, Ala. Todd Van Emst
Derrick Brown (5) makes a tackle in the first half. Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown Auburn football at Florida on Saturday, Oct. 5, 2019 in Gainesville, FL Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Auburn's Derrick Brown gets a soack in the first half. Auburn vs Texas A&M on Saturday, Sept. 21, 2019 in College Station, TX. Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
Derrick Brown (5) and Marlon Davidson (3) on the sidelines together. Auburn Football at LSU on Saturday, Oct. 26, 2019 in Baton Rouge, LA Todd Van Emst/AU Athletics
