To win a championship next season, the Detroit Lions will almost certainly need to add a pass rusher to their roster. Fansided’s Brad Berreman argues that the Lions should investigate all options when adding an edge rusher. This involves a possible unique deal with the Carolina Panthers for Brian Burns.
Berreman advised the Lions trade for Burns after the Panthers applied the franchise tag to the defensive end this offseason.
On November 4, ESPN’s Adam Schefter claimed that the Panthers had spurned down trade offers for Burns. However, if Carolina began entertaining offers today, Berreman offered that the Lions trade their No. 29 overall pick for Burns.
“The Panthers possibly tagging and trading Burns might widen the list of teams who could enter the mix to get him; even it may only be a one-year rental,” he said.
“The Lions have plenty of cap space, and their late-first-round pick would be easy to trade for Burns. In terms of giving up a first-round pick for an edge rusher in a trade, it might be him or nobody.”
Berreman linked the Lions to Burns after Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggested on February 14 that Burns “could be” a “tag-to-trade candidate.”
On February 19, Randy Mueller of The Athletic deemed Burns the top available edge rusher in the NFL free agency. Mueller also ranked Burns as the best overall player available in free agency this offseason.
Berreman linked the Lions to Burns after Sports Illustrated’s Albert Breer suggested on February 14 that Burns “could be” a “tag-to-trade candidate.”
On February 19, Randy Mueller of The Athletic deemed Burns the top available edge rusher in the NFL free agency. Mueller also ranked Burns as the best overall player available in free agency this offseason.
“His production was limited somewhat by the Panthers’ scheme, but his suddenness and pass rush package should translate to higher-volume production,” Mueller said in a statement. “Offenses must have a plan to deal with his ability each week.”
Burns, who turns 26 in April, most certainly did not make the Pro Bowl in 2023 due to his minimal output. However, he still had 8 sacks, 16 tackles for loss, and 18 quarterback hits.
Burns recorded at least 7.5 sacks in each of his first five NFL seasons. He recorded 12.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 22 quarterback hits in 2022.
He has the ability to do much more on a defense with another excellent edge rusher.
Although Allen was ranked higher than Burns on PFF and USA Today’s lists of the best available edge rushers, Burns was still rated as one of the top five free agents this offseason.
How Dynamic Could the Lions Pass Rush Be With Burns?
Obviously, Burns and Aidan Hutchinson would make an exceptional duo. Such a combination might transform Detroit’s pass rush from a problem to a strength.
In 2023, the Lions topped the NFL in pressure rate but finished 23rd in sacks with 41. Hutchinson was the only Detroit defense to record more than five sacks.
Aside from Hutchinson, defensive tackle Alim McNeill was the only other Lions defender with more than three sacks.
Finding an edge rusher to complement Hutchinson should be at the top of the team’s offseason priority list.
Burns’ contract was expected to be worth approximately $109 million over five years, according to Spotrac. Such a deal would entail an average annual compensation of approximately $21.7 million.
Although it would be costly to acquire and then pay Burns, he would more than meet the goal of finding an edge rusher to combine alongside Hutchison.
