3 Defenders the Panthers Should Target in the First Round to Rebuild their Run Defense

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper elected to clean house this offseason, and for good reason. Not only did Carolina finish last in the NFC South at 5-11, they did so after starting out 5-3. There are many concerns for new head coach Matt Rhule moving forward, but one glaring issue was the run defense in 2019, which finished dead last in the NFL, according to Football Outsiders.

The Panthers now have a top-ten draft pick to work with in the 2020 NFL Draft, selecting at No. 7 overall. While they could attempt to use this pick on a quarterback or offensive tackle, they also desperately need to fix this defensive deficiency against the run, especially when you factor in Luke Kuechly's early retirement this winter.

Here are three defensive players that the Panthers should target in the first round of the NFL Draft.

3. Javon Kinlaw, South Carolina

Javon Kinlaw warms up for a game against Appalachian State. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

South Carolina Gamecocks defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw has some things to learn before becoming a dominant NFL force. All the physical traits are there, though, at 6-foot-five and 324 pounds, with arms as thick as tree trunks. If the Panthers are more keen on a longer rebuild than a plan to be competitive right away in 2020, and if Derrick Brown is already off the board, Kinlaw might be the player with the most untapped potential. Matt Rhule is known for his ability to get the most out of his roster, and Kinlaw has the upside to be an anchor of this defense for years to come.

2. Isaiah Simmons, Clemson

Isaiah Simmons flexes after a play against Notre Dame. / Tom Pennington/Getty Images

With Kuechly gone, the Panthers need a new playmaker on this defense. Clemson jack-of-all-trades linebacker Isaiah Simmons is just that, as his athleticism and body measurements make him one of the most versatile players in the draft. The only problem here is that Simmons could use some work on the line of scrimmage as a run-stuffing backer, but his ability in the open field is as good as any prospect available. If given a defined role, Simmons has a ceiling that far-outweighs his floor, which could be the perfect building block to resurrect this defense around.

1. Derrick Brown, Auburn

Derrick Brown busts through the offensive line in a game against Purdue. / Timothy Nwachukwu/Getty Images

The top run-stopping force of a defensive tackle in 2020 is 6-foot-five, 318-pound Derrick Brown out of Auburn. This man is a beast on all three downs, with enough brute strength to make an immediate impact in the NFL. Brown has also been touted for his mobility, and is light on his feet for a player of his size. With the Panthers said to be moving away from DT Dontari Poe, the door is wide open for Derrick Brown to join Carolina this spring.

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Michael Obermuller is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Michael Obermuller also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username king_mizzard. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.