Detroit Lions: Complete 7-round 2019 NFL Mock Draft 4.0

Brian Burns is one of the players in this draft that doesn’t seem to be getting enough attention. What I mean by this is that Nick Bosa and Josh Allen seem to be talked about as the only two edge rushers in the elite tier, but Burns should be talked about as an elite edge rusher as well as those other two.

Burns’ best weapon at his disposal is his rush speed and bend around the edge. Burns can beat just about any offensive lineman using those tools that he excels with. In the event that he cannot beat his opponent with his primary skill set, he can still win using other moves such as spins, etc.

Another underrated part of his game is his ability to defend against the run, which the Lions have shown to value in their edge rushers/defensive ends.

Burns is not going to necessarily explode into the backfield and rack up tackles for a loss, but he is still able to more than hold his own and able to successfully set the edge or get off blocks to take down a runner if he tries to bounce outside. Burns can also drop into coverage on occasion, having accumulated seven passes defensed over his years at FSU.

In his senior year alone Burns racked up 53 tackles, 10 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Over his career in college he was able to amass 123 tackles, 23 sacks, and seven forced fumbles. Burns should be able to successfully translate his skills into a very lucrative NFL career, and should be considered an elite edge rusher a few years into the league.

Joe Marino, from The Draft Network, writes that Burns’ best trait is his pass rush and his worst trait is his size. Even being a little undersized, he is still a top five player in the draft and an elite edge rusher. Marino had this to say in summary of Burns:

"“Burns is a refined pass rusher that dominated power five competition throughout his college career. While it’s easy to love his high-variance, technically refined and gifted pass rushing skill set, Burns is a more versatile defender than he is often credited for. He can win from a three-point or stand-up position with playmaking ability against the run, in coverage and attacking the quarterback …"