Written by Michael Hull
Former Florida State edge rusher Brian Burns has been selected by the Carolina Panthers with the 16th pick in the 2019 NFL draft. Burns had 23 sacks in three seasons at FSU, including 10 this past season. He fits perfectly into the new wave of NFL edge rushers; he’s quick, explosive and strong. Standing at 6’5 and 249 pounds, Burns ran a blazing 4.53 40 yard dash at the NFL combine in March, where he also had a 36-inch vertical jump and a 129-inch broad jump, showcasing that previously mentioned explosiveness. He gets off the line incredibly fast, and he is athletic enough to chase down players in the open field. Some worry about his thin frame and how that may translate to the next level, but there is no doubting his talent.
Burns should slide smoothly into a starting role with the Panthers and instantly lift a pass rush that struggled at times a year ago. While they have a stacked linebacking core featuring Luke Kuechly and Shaq Thompson, the pass rush group is headlined by Kawann Short and the newly added Bruce Irvin. Both of them are on the wrong side of 30, and while Short still has gas left in the tank, Irvin will serve as more of a rotational player in 2019 and as a mentor to the young Burns. Carolina needed to make an addition to bolster their pass rush in a division with Drew Brees, Matt Ryan, and Jameis Winston, and now they add the talented Burns. The Panthers’ defensive unit is looking like it will take a massive leap forward in 2019 and, with the addition of Burns, will most likely do so. Look for the Panthers to push for the NFC South title this upcoming season with their revamped pass rush leading the way.
