To win a championship, the Detroit Lions will probably need to add a pass rusher to their squad for the next season. Brad Berreman of Fansided stated that the Lions ought to explore all options when it comes to bringing in an edge rusher. This involves the possibility of an odd deal for Brian Burns with the Carolina Panthers.
After the Panthers applied the franchise tag to the defensive end this summer, Berreman recommended that the Lions trade for Burns.
On November 4, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Panthers rejected trade proposals for Burns. Nonetheless, Berreman suggested the Lions send their No. 29 overall choice for Burns if Carolina started considering offers right away.
Berreman noted, “Even if Burns is only a one-year rental, the Panthers potentially tagging and trading him might widen the list of teams who could enter the mix to get him.”
The Lions have a lot of cap space, so giving up their late first-round pick would be simple if it meant acquiring Burns. If there was a trade, perhaps it would be him or no one when it came to trading that first-round pick for an edge rusher.
After Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated stated on February 14 that Burns “could be” a “tag-to-trade candidate,” Berreman connected Burns to the Lions.
Randy Mueller of The Athletic named Burns the top edge rusher available in the NFL free agency class on February 19. Burns was ranked by Mueller as the best player available in free agency this offseason.
Burns is listed as the second-best edge rusher available in this year’s free agency class by Pro Football Focus and USA Today. In terms of available edge rushers, Pro Football Network ranked Burns second only to Josh Allen.
Is Brian Burns the Best Edge Rusher Available This Offseason?
It’s like splitting hairs to suggest that Burns and Allen are the greatest edge rushers available in free agency. Mueller thinks Burns has a better all-around game, age, and athletic ability.
Mueller stated, “His suddenness and pass rush package should translate to higher-volume production, but the Panthers’ scheme limited his production somewhat.” “Offenses need to have a weekly plan to deal with his abilities.”
Due to his meager output, Burns—who turns 26 in April—didn’t make the Pro Bowl in 2023. Even so, he managed eight sacks, sixteen tackles for loss, and eighteen quarterback hits.
During his first five NFL seasons, Burns recorded at least 7.5 sacks. In2022, he tallied 12.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 22 receiver hits.
If he were teamed with another outstanding edge rusher on a defense, he could be much more effective.
Burns was still regarded as one of the top 5 free agents this offseason by PFF and USA Today, despite Allen being ranked higher on both lists of the best available edge rushers.