5 Carolina Panthers players with genuine superstar potential

Brian Burns – DE

With the Carolina Panthers desperately needing help with their pass-rushing they opted to use their 2019 first-round pick to select Florida State star, Brian Burns. It was a great move by the front office.

After losing Mario Addison and Thomas Davis the Panthers needed to repair the pass rush. They needed someone who had the speed to come off the edge but also has the ability out muscle tight ends. Burns fits that mold perfectly.

Burns’ rookie season was up and down. He dealt with injury for a lot of the season and was only able to start five games. In those five games, he was dominant and was easily one of the Panthers’ top pass rushers.

Overall his first year was a success and he finished the season with one forced fumble, one fumble recovery for a touchdown, 7.5 sacks, 25 total tackles, and five tackles for loss. Burns was rarely at 100 percent throughout the season and still finished top five in sacks for rookies. The potential he has was noticeable during the games he played in.

Burns stands at 6-foot-5 and weighs 250 pounds. He had a very impressive NFL Scouting Combine that helped improve his draft stock. He ran a 4.53-second 40-yard dash and he was one of three prospects who had a score over 90.

Burns showed that his speed and his athleticism are his biggest assets last season. He is quicker off the ball than a lot of offensive tackles and has the athleticism to hit them with multiple moves to get to the quarterback. The rusher still has great strength and can handle any tight end that tries to crack him off the edge.

The second-year pro has now had a full offseason to recover from injury and make sure he’s healthy for this season. He will be one of the best pass rushers for the Panthers in 2020 and will be a player every fan is excited to watch each Sunday.