Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
Expectations were through the roof for Brian Burns before the campaign. The defensive end looked set to enter the truly elite category after flashing real brilliance in 2020 and although this might not have transpired just yet, the Florida State product has put together some impressive numbers that are going relatively unnoticed.
Burns has eight sacks, 12 tackles for loss, 14 quarterback hits, and 23 pressures this season. He’s left a few sacks out on the field, which is disappointing, but there has been far more good than bad where the explosive pass-rusher is concerned.
There is a real chance Burns attains double-digit sacks for the first time in his career. This represents another step in the right direction ahead of a pivotal Year 4 in 2022.
Donte Jackson – Carolina Panthers CB
Even if Donte Jackson has played his last game for the Carolina Panthers, his production this season has been extremely pleasing overall. The cornerback still has his lapses in coverage, which was evident over the final two games before the bye week, but the former LSU stud is making significant strides in key areas such as tackling and ball awareness.
Jackson gets some deserved criticism at times. In other moments, he’s an easy guy to pick on.
Now that the 2018 second-round pick is on season-ending injured/reserve, the speculation concerning whether Jackson will get offered the money he’s looking for to keep him in Carolina is sure to gather pace in the coming weeks. Only time will tell as to how this situation plays out.