ESPN Considers Derrick Brown a Top Defensive Tackle

In a poll conducted by ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, NFL coaches, players, and executives ranked the top ten defensive tackles in the league heading into the 2023 season.

Derrick Brown of the Carolina Panthers didn't make the top ten list but was featured in the "honorable mention" category alongside Christian Wilkins (Dolphins), Vita Vea (Buccaneers), Kenny Clark (Packers), and Leonard Williams (Giants).

"Brown posted career highs in tackles (67), interceptions (one), passes defended (seven) and stuffs (11.5). "He's coming. He was a bit out of position early in his career as a read-and-react guy, but late last year they had him attacking more," an NFC exec said. "He's 320 pounds and a hell of an athlete. I imagine he'll be top 10 by next year."

It is interesting that they are still considering him a defensive tackle as he will likely play a lot of defensive end in Ejiro Evero's 3-4 scheme. But playing defensive tackle will still be in the cards for Brown, according to defensive line coach Todd Wash.

"Right now, we all understand and everybody out there understands he's a great run defender. He's big, strong. He's stout. And he can play all the positions across the board. The biggest thing we're going to start working is the pass rush side of things. He's a big athlete. He's 330 pounds but he has the ability, the speed, and explosiveness to get on the edges of guards. But before that can happen we talk about in our room that you have to earn the right to rush the quarterback. So we got to do a good job of stopping the run and then hopefully we're going to be able to get Derrick even better than he is right now versus the pass."

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