Panthers DT Brown first 1st-rounder to sign deal (via ESPN.com)

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The Carolina Panthers on Friday reached a four-year, fully guaranteed $23.621 million deal with former Auburn defensive tackle Derrick Brown, agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed to ESPN.

This makes the No. 7 overall pick the first first-rounder of the 2020 draft to reach an agreement.

The Panthers selected Brown over Clemson’s do-it-all linebacker Isaiah Simmons because they felt the 6-foot-5, 326-pounder could make an immediate impact next to Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short, who spent last season on injured reserve recovering from a shoulder injury.

“We had them very close together, obviously,” general manager Marty Hurney said of Brown and Simmons after the draft. “We believed you start building from the front. Derrick not only helps [Short] and the rest of the line… he helps the linebackers. He’s a big, powerful player. He’s got a good first step. He’s a three-down player. He obviously helps against the run, but he really gets push up the middle.

“I met with him after the season. I really didn’t think he would make it to seven.”

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Source: https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29151941/panthers-rookie-dt-derrick-brown-agree-4-year-236m-deal