2019 NFL mock draft: Cardinals select Quinnen Williams

The Carolina Panthers will round out the first half of the first round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and they should look to bring in a player who can help them off the edge in 2019. Earlier this off-season, future Hall of Famer Julius Peppers announced his retirement, so the team is going to have to find someone who could fill those shoes moving forward.

When it comes to this draft class, Brian Burns from Florida State is one of the better edge rushers available. This is a draft class that is so deep when it comes to the edge rusher position, and in Burns, the Panthers could find a player who could step in and be a starter for them in year one, replacing the talented Peppers.

During his time at Florida State, Burns established himself as one of the more prolific sack guys in college football, and he has the overall skill set to be very good very early in the NFL. Carolina is only a couple of players away from being a playoff team once again, and if they can get a healthy Camm Newton back under center in 2019, there is no reason why they won’t be fighting for a playoff spot.

The team had to shut down Newton towards the end of last season, as he battled a shoulder injury, and it will be interesting to see how they go about his rehab this off-season. This team is only going to go as far as Newton will lead them, but if they continue can continue to stock pile talent on defense, it will take a lot of pressure off of Newton and the rest of the offense moving forward.