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2019 NFL mock draft: Kyler Murray heads to Cardinals at No. 1

By Brad Weiss

MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - DECEMBER 29: Kyler Murray #1 of the Oklahoma Sooners warms up before the game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on December 29, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /
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TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive End Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles in action during the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 22, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Huskies 37 to 19. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images)
TALLAHASSEE, FL – SEPTEMBER 22: Defensive End Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles in action during the game against the Northern Illinois Huskies at Doak Campbell Stadium on Bobby Bowden Field on September 22, 2018 in Tallahassee, Florida. The Seminoles defeated the Huskies 37 to 19. (Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images) /

Brian Burns. 16. player. 87. . Edge. Florida State

The Carolina Panthers will be without one of their team leaders this upcoming season, as Julius Peppers decided to call it a career this offseason. During his time with the team, Peppers established himself as one of the better pass rushers in all of football, and his leadership on and off the field will certainly be missed in 2019 and beyond.

When you think about this team moving forward, all eyes turn to quarterback Cam Newton, who will have to stay healthy if this team is going to do anything next season. His ailing arm really hurt this team down the stretch, as they lost seven of eight games to end the year, and missed out on the playoffs after looking like a lock for the postseason early on.

The defensive side of the ball did improve this offseason, as they locked up Eric Reid to a three-year deal, and brought in veteran pass rusher Bruce Irvin. Still, adding more talent to that position group makes a lot of sense, and Brian Burns from Florida State at No. 16 would be a steal.

Burns is the complete package coming off the edge, and heads into the NFL as one of the more pro-ready players available. Carolina has the talent on both sides of the ball to compete in a very tough NFC South next season, but they have to be better on defense, and see Newton play a full slate of games.

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