2019 NFL Draft: 5 players Lions could take in Round 1

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - FEBRUARY 27: Detroit Lions head coach Matt Patricia answers questions from the media during the NFL Scouting Combine on February 27, 2019 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, IN. (Photo by Zach Bolinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brian Burns (99) evades blocker Northern Illinois Huskies offensive tackle Max Scharping (73) during the game between the Florida State Seminoles and the Northern Illinois Huskies at Doak Campbell Stadium on September 22nd, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. (Photo by Logan Stanford/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /

3. Brian Burns

Burns might be the prospect in this draft most similar to Ansah. Neither has the physical size to really hold up well against the run, but each guy shows exceptional speed and bend off the edge. The Lions could easily choose to draft Burns with the hope that he can add functional weight once he gets into the NFL.

There’s no doubt Burns is a guy who can fly around the edge and get past elite tackles. At worst, he’s going to be a guy who can immediately contribute on passing downs at the next level. The real question with Burns is whether or not he can ever hold up as an every down guy.

His tape at Florida State shows him to be a player who makes a lot of great plays but also goes missing for long stretches of time. Some of that inconsistency can be attributed to the mess that was the Seminoles team last season, but some of the responsibility has to go to Burns.

Again, the key here is to not put too much emphasis on what Burns doesn’t do well. Instead, you draft a guy like him because of his outstanding traits. The Lions could do a lot worse than drafting an immediate impact pass rusher with the first round pick.

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