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NFL Draft 2019: Top 32 prospects – Post-Senior Bowl edition

By Conor Dorney

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 17: Rashan Gary #3 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on while playing the Indiana Hoosiers at Michigan Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan won the game 31-20. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 08: Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brian Burns (99) running during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Samford Bulldogs at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on September 8th, 2018. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 08: Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brian Burns (99) running during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Samford Bulldogs at Doak Campbell Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida on September 8th, 2018. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

Like Allen, Florida State’s Brian Burns has one of the highest ceilings of any pass rusher in the 2019 Draft.

At 6-foot-5 and 231 pounds, Burns possesses the length and athleticism to be a great pass rusher at the NFL level. His weight will be something to watch, as he is built more like a dynamic tight end than a player capable of anchoring and setting the edge against the sheer size of NFL offensive tackles.

Despite the potential weight issues, there is a whole lot to like about Burns’ game. For one, he has some of the most polished pass rush moves of any edge player in the class. He shows a knack for knowing how to set up both inside and outside moves on opposing tackles, and his suddenness and hand usage give tight ends and running backs practically zero chance to block him.

Burns also has great flexibility and bend but never seems to take himself out of the play like you see with other great sack artists. He breaks down well and can change direction with ease as opposing quarterbacks try to elude him in the pocket. Once he has locked onto his target, Burns displays good tackling form and is more than capable of using his length to cause a strip sack if he knows he can’t get there in time.

Burns has been an extremely productive player since his true freshman season with the Seminoles, and if he’s able to bulk up a bit for durability and run game purposes without losing his quickness, a team in the top ten will have themselves an All-Pro caliber pass rusher.

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