4 Carolina Panthers players who could win individual awards in 2022
By Dean Jones
. DE. Carolina Panthers. BRIAN BURNS. 3. player. 87
Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE
- NFL Defensive Player of the Year
With Haason Reddick joining the Philadelphia Eagles in free agency, there is more expectancy than ever on the shoulders of Brian Burns.
The explosive defensive end enjoyed the best campaign of his career in 2021 en route to nine sacks and a Pro Bowl selection. But the former first-round pick out of Florida State needs to take another leap forward and enter the elite category next time around if the Carolina Panthers want to surprise people.
Burns has the physical attributes to take the next step. His quick-twitch off the block is absolutely extraordinary at times, with his spin move fast becoming one of the league’s most feared weapons that is incredibly difficult to stop.
There are some areas that Burns needs to work on this offseason. Gap discipline against the run has to get better and turning pressures into sacks is another thing that could assist the player when competitive action resumes.
The NFL Defensive Player of the Year award is for the best of the best. Burns might not be there just yet, but the upside remains and there’s just no telling what this would do to his contract demands with a possible extension looming large.