The Carolina Panthers started off their 2020 NFL Draft by choosing Auburn’s Derrick Brown with the No. 7 pick. Brown’s size combined with his snap quickness makes him a threat on defense, one that could help disrupt opposing offenses.
Going into the draft, it was clear the Panthers had some holes to fill on the defense. They did just that, using all seven of their draft picks on defensive players.
In the second round, Carolina picked up No. 38 pick Yetur Gross-Matos and No. 64 pick Jeremy Chinn. Gross-Matos, a defensive end out of Penn State, has the potential to eventually be a dangerous defender because of his size, quickness off the snap, and hustle. The Panthers added to their secondary with Chinn, a versatile, athletic safety who played multiple positions at Southern Illinois, has the size of a linebacker, a 4.45-second 40-yard dash, and an impressive vertical.
Cornerback was possibly the team’s biggest need, with no clear No. 1 CB on the roster and Tom Brady now in the division with multiple downfield weapons at his disposal. The Panthers picked up three more corners with Troy Pride Jr., Kenny Robinson, and Stantley Thomas-Oliver III. Thanks to his speed, Pride Jr. has the potential to thrive in man-to-man coverage once he improves his defense at the catch point. Robinson was draft-eligible despite playing in the XFL last season, so has experience that makes him unique compared to his fellow draftees.
Click here for full results from the entire 2020 NFL Draft.
Round 1, pick 7: Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn
Round 2, pick 38: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
Round 2, pick 64: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
Round 4, pick 113: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
Round 5, pick 152: Kenny Robinson, CB, West Virginia
Round 6, pick 184: Bravvion Roy, DL, Baylor
Round 7, pick 221: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, Florida International
Check out draft results from other teams in the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 2020 draft picks
