Derrick Brown

Derrick Brown (born April 15, 1998) is an American professional football defensive end for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Auburn Tigers where he was named the SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2019, and was selected by the Panthers in the first round of the 2020 NFL draft.

Early life Derrick Brown was born in Sugar Hill, Georgia on April 15, 1998. He later attended Lanier High School in Sugar Hill, Georgia, where he had 33.5 quarterback sacks, 270 tackles, 5 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions as a defensive tackle. As a senior, Brown was seen as one of best high school defensive tackles in the nation, where he considered multiple schools during his recruitment, with Georgia and Alabama being seen as the favorites to land him, before he committed to Auburn University on February 3, 2016.

College career As a freshman in 2016, Brown's recorded 11 tackles with a sack and fumble recovery. As a sophomore in 2017, Brown started in all 12 games, recorded 49 total tackles, 3.5 sacks, 8.5 tackles for a loss, and 2 forced fumbles.

Professional career

Brown was selected seventh overall by the Carolina Panthers in the 2020 NFL draft. worth a fully guaranteed $23.621 million. He was placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list by the Panthers on December 7, and activated on December 11. In Week 15 against the Green Bay Packers, Brown recorded his first two career sacks on Aaron Rodgers during the 24–16 loss. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.

In Week 1 of the 2021 season against the New York Jets, Brown recorded his first sack of the season on Zach Wilson in the 19–14 win.

In Week 3 of the 2022 season against the New Orleans Saints, Brown recorded his first career interception on Jameis Winston in the Panthers' 22–14 win.

In January 2024, Brown was selected to the 2024 Pro Bowl Games as a replacement for Los Angeles Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald.

On April 8, 2024, the Panthers signed Brown to a four-year, $96 million extension, with $63.165 million guaranteed.

Brown suffered a meniscus injury in Week 1 of the 2024 season and was placed on injured reserve on September 10, 2024.

Career statistics NFL + Legend NFL record (DT position) Bold Career high

Regular season Year Team Tackles Interceptions Fumbles 2020 CAR 16 15 21 13 34 8 2.0 12 0 0 4 0 0 2021 CAR 16 14 27 14 41 8 3.0 9 0 0 4 0 0 2022 CAR 17 17 30 37 67 5 1.0 12 1 0 7 0 0 2023 CAR 17 17 57 46 103 7 2.0 15 1 2 6 0 0 2024 CAR 1 1 1 2 3 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2025 CAR 17 17 33 40 73 5 5.0 11 0 0 7 1 0Career 84 81 169 152 321 33 13.0 59 2 2 28 1 0

Postseason Year Team Tackles Interceptions Fumbles 2025 CAR 1 1 4 1 5 0 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0Career 1 1 4 1 5 0 0.0 1 0 0 0 0 0

College Year Team Class Tackles Interceptions Fumbles 2016 Auburn FR 8 3 8 11 1.5 1.0 0 1 0 1 2017 Auburn SO 13 28 29 57 9.5 3.0 0 1 2 0 2018 Auburn JR 13 26 22 48 10.5 4.5 0 2 1 1 2019 Auburn SR 12 32 22 54 11.5 4.0 0 4 2 2Career 46 89 81 170 33.0 12.5 0 8 5 4

Personal life Brown's wife is Tayla Main, and together they have two children, a son and a daughter.