South Charlotte Today

Dan Morgan, the general manager of the Carolina Panthers, is taking steps to address the team's run defense this offseason. As free agency negotiations commenced, reports from multiple sources, including NFL Network, indicate that the Panthers have reached an agreement with Rams defensive tackle Bobby Brown III. However, official confirmation of the deal will have to wait until the league year starts on Wednesday at 4 p.m.

Bobby Brown III hails from Bruce, Mississippi. He attended Texas A&M University where he played for three years before being drafted by the Los Angeles Rams in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. During his rookie season, Brown was part of the Rams team that won Super Bowl LVI against the Bengals.

Brown is relatively young at 24 years old and will not turn 25 until training camp begins. The Panthers are looking to build a long-term defense with younger players like Brown who are entering their second contracts.

Despite his youth, Brown has shown potential as a dynamic defensive lineman. In his final year at Texas A&M, he recorded 5.5 sacks and earned a spot on the All-SEC team. Since joining the NFL, his performance has improved each year. Last season, he achieved a career-high with 44 tackles and a pass defended.

Pro Football Focus rated Brown with an 80.1 tackling grade for the 2024 season—the highest among interior defensive linemen in the league—highlighting his effectiveness in tackling situations. His run tackle rate stood at 16.4 percent, ranking him tenth among all defensive tackles.

The Panthers hope Brown can bolster their run defense after finishing last in this category last year with an average of 179.8 yards allowed per game.

Brown is eager to expand his role beyond just stopping runs. In March discussions with SI Rams, he expressed interest in contributing during passing downs as well.

Panthers' defensive lineman A'Shawn Robinson played alongside Brown for two seasons in Los Angeles and was asked to take on more responsibilities when he joined Carolina this year due to Derrick Brown's injury. Robinson's increased workload included both run and pass rush snaps, setting a precedent for players like Bobby Brown to request more diverse roles in future games.

Additionally, Bobby Brown's wrestling background contributes to his reputation as a formidable force on the field. During high school, he excelled in wrestling tournaments across various levels.