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2019 NFL Mock Draft: Projected first round before NFL Combine

By Darrelle Thompson

MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 23: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes in the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers on November 23, 2018 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
MORGANTOWN, WV - NOVEMBER 23: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners passes in the first half against the West Virginia Mountaineers on November 23, 2018 at Mountaineer Field in Morgantown, West Virginia. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
(Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

Carolina Panthers. Brian Burns. 16. player. 87. . EDGE

The Panthers defense struggled last season on the defensive line. They had a hard time stopping the run as they gave up 4.7 yards per carry which was 23rd in the NFL last season.

The defense is spearheaded by linebacker Luke Keuchley and the future Hall of Famer has been a staple of the Panthers defense for a number of years. However, Carolina needs to get younger on that side of the ball and with the quality of quarterbacks in the division selecting a multi-purpose defensive end should be an immediate need.

Florida State defensive end Brian Burns has the potential to be a top-10 pick in the upcoming NFL draft. He has the ability to get to the passer with an excellent first step and his 2018 season saw him finish with 52 tackles and 10 sacks.

The major cause for concern for NFL teams is his consistency play to play. During the Seminoles disastrous 2017 season, he had just 48 tackles but just four and a half sacks.

If burns can find a coaching staff that will preach accountability and help him develop as a player we could be looking at someone who can get eight or nine sacks consistently each season. If the Panthers don’t go with a pass rusher expect them to target a wide receiver with this pick.

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