Pro Bowl selections often lean on surface-level numbers and name recognition, but if the process truly rewarded impact, consistency, and disruption, Derrick Brown would have been a lock. Instead, the Carolina Panthers’ interior anchor was left off the roster despite putting together one of the most dominant seasons of his career.

Brown’s value doesn’t always show up in flashy sack totals, but his influence is undeniable. He was a constant presence in the middle of the Panthers’ defensive front, routinely commanding double teams, collapsing pockets, and forcing quarterbacks off their spots. Offensive game plans were built around accounting for him — and that alone should carry weight in Pro Bowl consideration.

This year also seemed like a year that even before the Panthers were in position to get the the playoffs, Derrick Brown was starting to garner more national attention than ever as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL.

What makes the snub even harder to justify is Brown’s growth as a pass rusher. While he may not post double-digit sacks, his pressures, hurries, and ability to force quick throws has played a major role in the Panthers’ defensive success this year. Interior pressure is often more disruptive than edge pressure, and Brown consistently delivered it — even if the stat sheet didn’t always credit him with the finish.

Leadership also matters, and Brown has that in abundance. He was the tone-setter up front, the kind of player whose effort and physicality defined Carolina’s defensive identity week after week. On a team navigating transition over the last few seasons, he has been a stabilizing force and a cornerstone.

The Panthers did see Jaycee Horn make his second consecutive Pro Bowl. The bottom line, though, is the Panthers should have two guys on the Pro Bowl roster and the fact that a player of Derrick Brown's caliber isn't there, is about as clear of a miss as you can have.