6 Panthers players entering 2021 season with genuine superstar potential
By Dean Jones
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
This one is a no-brainer.
Brian Burns made some outstanding progress in his second NFL season, proving he was much more than just a situational edge rusher en route to becoming one of the league’s brightest young defensive ends.
The hard work Burns put in during the previous offseason saw him emerge from the pass-rushing specialist into a dominant three-down defensive lineman. His explosiveness is absolutely incredible, but there is a newfound discipline to his game that all the great players at the position possess.
Considering the lack of consistency around Burns in 2020 – especially over the first few games – a significant increase in talent this time around could be all the former Florida State standout needs to take his game into a completely different stratosphere.
Burns is now the defensive leader of the Carolina Panthers – someone everyone is looking to for production and inspiration in equal measure.
The hallmark of every true superstar.
The 2019 first-round selection was unfortunate not to make his first Pro Bowl last year.
Finishing off plays with additional efficiency is the next big leap Burns needs to make. But judging by what the player’s demonstrated throughout camp and the preseason, he’s ready to hit the ground running and become a genuine superstar.