4 most important Panthers players vs. the Falcons in Week 8

Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE

Brian Burns is emerging as a true stud at the defensive end position. In only his second year with the Carolina Panthers, the former first-round pick has come of age and is now considered an indispensable member of the roster.

The Florida State product has rare explosiveness. But what has been more encouraging through seven weeks is Burns’ transition into a more effective three-down defensive lineman who can set the edge in run support.

This was something that simply wasn’t evident from the player during his rookie campaign, even though Burns did catch the eye with 7.5 sacks in a rotational role. To say the pass-rusher has taken a giant leap forward as a sophomore would be something of an understatement. But the Panthers need others to raise their respective games if they want to generate consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

Burns is more than capable of this. But no team worth their salt relies on just one player who can get after it. Stephen Weatherly hasn’t yet recorded a sack as yet and Carolina is also missing the presence of second-rounder Yetur Gross-Matos in this area of the field.

The player recorded four tackles and one forced fumble against the Falcons last time out before going off with a big hit shortly before halftime. Expect Burns to have a much bigger say with the national NFL fanbase eagerly watching on.