Ranking the 10 best Carolina Panthers players from 2022 season

Brian Burns – Carolina Panthers DE

• 12.5 sacks
• 63 tackles
• 17 tackles for loss
• 30 pressures
• 22 QB hits

After failing to reach double-digit sacks in any of his first three seasons despite the high level of play, Brian Burns got rewarded with a 12.5 sack campaign in 2022. This also included his second-straight Pro Bowl selection as a result of his exceptional efforts.

Not only that, Burns did not sacrifice much in the run defense to accomplish these feats.

One of his weaknesses as a young edge rusher was Burns would be caught up field and allow runs to get outside for big gains. That flaw was ironed out in 2022 and the defensive end stood out in a big way almost from start to finish this season.

Burns produced a great season. The 2019 first-round selection led the Carolina Panthers in sacks and pressured the quarterback at a high rate.

There is no doubt the former Florida State Seminole has the talent to continue being a great edge rusher. The only thing left is for Burns to take the next step and become one of the NFL’s truly elite pass-rushers, but some think he’s already reached this target.

Burns is a freak of nature athlete and he is rounding out into a great edge player. At only 24 years old, he will continue to be a force for a long-time in Charlotte and the Panthers are likely to make him a very wealthy man indeed this offseason.