2019 NFL Draft: Implications of Kyler Murray going No. 1 overall

Brian Burns could legitimately be picked in the Top-5, so the Panthers would be getting a steal at No. 16 if he slips this far down the draft board.

Burns alleviated concerns about his size, showing he was big enough to play across scheme with his measurables at the combine. He has a vast array of pass rushing moves already, something that is rare for a player of his age. He has a high ceiling, but his floor is already there for him to be a contributor right away off the edge for Carolina.

The Panthers struggled to put pressure on opposing quarterbacks last season, ranking 27th in the league in sacks. And now they are moving forward without the ageless Julius Peppers, who was still a useful player despite his advanced age. Mario Addison led the team in sacks, but he’s now on the wrong side of 30 and his contract is set to expire after the 2019 season. Finding a good young edge rusher will be key for Carolina this offseason.

While it would be tough to pass on a player of Burns’s caliber at this point in the draft, the Panthers will also seriously be looking at upgrades on the offensive line to keep Cam Newton healthy and upright. The sack numbers aren’t ghastly, mainly due to Newton’s size and strength, allowing him to bounce off hits. He takes a lot of them, though, and nagging injuries have hampered him the last couple of years since the Super Bowl run.

There are several quality linemen available here, including Oklahoma’s Cody Ford, Washington State’s Andre Dillard, and NC State’s Garrett Bradbury.