The Carolina Panthers made history following their last selection in the 2020 NFL Draft. Prior to the NFL Draft, Panthers General Manager Marty Hurney said, "When you look at the defensive side of the ball, I think that's where we probably haven't added as much as we have on offense…So if you were to say, 'What area would you look at the most?' It would be defense rather than offense at this point."
The Panthers were not bluffing, drafting all seven of their picks on defensive players. This made Carolina the first team in the common draft era to select defensive players with all of their picks.
After meeting with the Panthers before the draft, former Auburn star defensive tackle Derrick Brown was drafted seventh overall. Over his four-year career with the Tigers, Brown recorded 170 tackles (89 solo), 12.5 sacks, eight passes defended, and five forced fumbles. The three-year starter and team captain's performance earned him 2019 SEC Defensive Player of the Year, All-American distinction, and first-team All-SEC honors.
Along with being dominant on the football field at Auburn, Brown took his academics seriously. He was awarded the Lott IMPACT Trophy, awarded to the best defensive player who displays the qualities of integrity, maturity, performance, academics, community, and tenacity. He also was the Senior Class Award winner in 2019, which is awarded to the top student-athlete in the nation.
During the 2020 NFL Draft, the Panthers made one move to get back into the second round. The Panthers traded the 69th and 148th overall picks to Seattle in return for the rights to select safety Jeremy Chinn with the 64th selection.
Following the 2020 NFL Draft, the Panthers signed 17 undrafted free agents on Monday, April 27.
Carolina's 2020 draft picks:
No. 7: Derrick Brown, DL, Auburn
No. 38: Yetur Gross-Matos, DE, Penn State
No. 64: Jeremy Chinn, S, Southern Illinois
No. 113: Troy Pride Jr., CB, Notre Dame
No. 152: Kenny Robinson Jr., S, West Virginia
No. 184: Bravvion Roy, DL, Baylor
No. 221: Stantley Thomas-Oliver III, CB, FIU
