The Panthers’ Defense Rises to the Challenge: The Top 3 Players in 2023 and What They Mean for the Team’s Future

Carolina Panthers’ standout trio includes defensive tackle Derrick Brown, cornerback Jaycee Horn, and edge rusher Jadeveon Clowney. Brown, after an impressive season that saw him break numerous records, received a career-high overall defensive grade of 90.9 from Pro Football Focus. Jaycee Horn has shown his effectiveness as a cornerback despite frequent injuries, with an 84.1 overall mark in just six games in 2023. Jadeveon Clowney, a free-agent acquisition, earned an 85.7 season grade in 2023 and is considered one of the Panthers’ top players.

Pro Football Focus analyst Trevor Sikkema highlighted the impressive performances of these three players when compiling the top three for each team. While guard Robert Hunt, who signed a lucrative contract with the Panthers, was also under consideration, it was ultimately Brown, Horn, and Clowney who stood out as the team’s top performers in 2023. Despite no single full-time Panthers offensive player earning a season grade above 78.0 in 2023, this trio shone as the team’s top players on defense.