North Charlotte Today

CHARLOTTE — Derrick Brown attributes his success in batting down passes to divine providence, though it might also be a combination of good fortune and genetics. The Panthers defensive lineman has distinguished himself in this area, adding to his impressive record, which includes setting a league record of 103 tackles by a lineman last season. According to TruMedia, Brown's 21 passes defensed are the most by any defensive lineman since the start of the 2020 season.

"I'll put my hand up and pray to God, that's it," Brown said when asked about his technique. "Ain't no way to look at the ball; quarterbacks throw the ball so fast. So you put your hands up and try to mirror where their arm is, and every once in a while you'll get one. But I mean, that's just luck."

Brown's ability extends beyond mere chance. His consistent performance over several seasons suggests skill rather than coincidence. Panthers center Austin Corbett commented on Brown's physical advantages: "It's good to be 6-5, 330," Corbett laughed. "That was one of the things when the sperm hit the egg; this is what he was meant to be."

Corbett acknowledged that while Brown's size and athleticism play a role, there are many large and athletic players in the NFL who do not match Brown's pass-defending stats. Tennessee's Jeffery Simmons and Kansas City's Carlos Dunlap follow closely with 19 passes defensed each over the same period.

Corbett explained that understanding an opponent’s intentions is crucial for countering players like Brown: "You have to read a defender's eyes... because it's like, OK, he's reading... here comes the ball, he's getting his hands up." He added that Brown’s strength allows him to compress the pocket effectively.

Guard Robert Hunt also noted Brown’s difficulty as an opponent: "I can't do anything in practice... but in the game... I'll pull you down." Hunt emphasized that even with such tactics, blocking Brown remains challenging due to his size and balance.

Quarterback Bryce Young shared his perspective on facing Brown: "It sucks as a quarterback even," Young said. "I love it when it's for our team... but there's kind of nothing you can do."

Brown has recorded 13 of his 21 passes defensed in just the last two seasons, with additional successes during practices and training camps.