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Brian Burns joins Carolina Panthers in latest mock draft

By Brandon Scott

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 06: Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles causes a fumble by N'Kosi Perry #5 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 06: Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles causes a fumble by N'Kosi Perry #5 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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Hybrid defensive end Brian Burns targeted in latest Carolina Panthers mock draft.

Carolina Panthers coach Ron Rivera has indicated a change to more 3-4 defensive fronts is in store next season in a dramatic shift from his bedrock 4-3 scheme. The move stems from needing to get more pressure on the quarterback, in addition to a pass happy league – especially in the NFC South division.

In order to do so the Panthers are expected to target a first-round pass rusher who can start immediately. Following the departure of Julius Peppers via retirement, general manager Marty Hurney added Bruce Irvin into the mix but may still elect to get another promising young prospect with the team’s first pick.

According to Jourdan Rodrigue of The Charlotte Observer, hybrid defensive end Brian Burns will be the Panthers selection in round one. Able to play both along the end of the defensive line or standing as an outside linebacker, Burns would be a quality addition to the Carolina defense.

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The 6-foot-5, 249 pound product of Florida State earned All-American honors as a freshman in addition to being selected first-team All-ACC this past season. In three years with the Seminoles, Burns registered 71 tackles and 23 sacks.

An impressive NFL Combine performance boosted his draft stock with healthy doses of athleticism and speed on full display. Burns ran a 4.53 40-yard dash with a vertical leap and broad jump of 36 and 129 inches, respectively.

Playing alongside Shaq Thompson and Luke Kuechly at the linebacker position, Burns would have an opportunity to become an immediate starter or rotational fill-in depending on the utilization of Rivera’s 3-4 front next season. Depending on his pass rush capabilities at end, he could also be utilized in a traditional sense during base packages.

Tune in to see who Hurney selects when the Panthers are on the clock during the first-round of the NFL Draft, scheduled for Thursday, April 25 in Nashville.

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View the remaining picks projected by Rodrigue here.

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