Assessing Washington Redskins first-round options: EDGE Brian Burns
By Ian Cummings
Scouting Burns
Researching Brian Burns, the very first thing that stands out is his size. He’s lauded as one of the best edge rushers in the 2019 NFL Draft class, and yet, he’s just 231 pounds at a height of around 6-foot-5. His slight frame is very visible on tape, but in reality, it doesn’t hinder him very often, because his game is riddled with positive traits and very well refined.
For some perspective on his progression from year to year (he was a three-year starter at Florida State), I watched a snippet of his 2017 tape before moving on to his 2018 tape. Against Alabama in 2017, Burns was handled well by Crimson Tide tackle Matt Womack, for the most part. Burns showed some flashes even then, but he wasn’t as fluid or precise with his rushing technique, and it made him an easy target with his small frame.
In 2018, however, Burns took a mammoth leap, one that has carried him into top ten consideration. And it all has to do with him maximizing his traits, some of which are elite.
Washington Commanders
It’s hard to put a finger on what Burns’ best trait is, but his most impactful trait is without a doubt his length. Burns’ length does so much for him. He can make tackles in pursuit that other edge rushers don’t make (although his closing speed helps there as well). His length helps him set the edge, and maintain leverage on the move against outside runs. His length makes him a strip sack, pass deflection threat on any play.
Burns’ length does a lot for him; enough to fill two paragraphs. But the most important function Burns’ length serves is keeping linemen’s hands off of him. Burns’ long-arm is precise and sturdy, and with his length, he keeps distance between himself and linemen, preventing them from dominating his slim frame. This is the biggest reason I like Burns better than Polite. While both are not strictly powerful edge rushers, Burns can cultivate leverage with his length, to avoid getting bested. Polite doesn’t have that luxury.
Now, you may say that Polite is the best speed rusher in the 2019 class. And you might not be wrong. But Burns is comparable to Polite in that area, and his array of pass rushing moves may be just as much, if not more refined. Burns seems to have a preference for the swim move, as he possesses a lethal sidestep and fluid movement skills, both vertically and laterally. But in truth, Burns’ rushing nuance is superb. He carries with him fast, strong, and precise hands with which he can swipe, cross-chop, and do whatever it takes to get to the quarterback.
But Burns isn’t just a technique rusher; he combines athleticism, lateral quickness, nuance, and rushing moves to conflate his positive traits. Burns’ first step, and his burst, is very impressive. He gains ground in the pocket very fast for his height, and he even has the coveted bend that teams seek in their edge rushers: The ability to shrink one’s surface area and slip under the torso of a blocking lineman with ankle flexion. Burns is incredibly proficient with movement, and combined with his length, he embodies a terrific edge prospect.
I did not intend for this to be a love-fest of Brian Burns, but there are genuinely very few things missing from his game. You could make the case that his frame is concerning, but he counters his own shortcomings with his strengths, and effectively makes them non-factors. He can rush the passer. He can hold his ground against the run, and has the pursuit skills to make tackles from behind. He can even drop back in coverage (he’s not a hybrid player, but he has the capability to occasionally serve in that type of role).
All this, and we haven’t talked about Burns’ motor yet. He has a relentless motor, never giving up on a play. He attacks every snap, and if you’re an opposing team, you’d better not leave him unblocked. Several times, teams made that mistake on film, and Burns made them pay every time, reaching the ball carrier in a flash. If there’s one thing I’d want to see more of on Burns’ tape, it’s using his lateral ability and stop-and-go speed more when rushing outside the edge, but even that is impressive in spurts.
Sometimes, Burns gets lost in the sheer amount of names that this class boasts at defensive end. But in any other class, we might be talking about Burns as the first edge rusher off the board. He’s an elite prospect who brings a complete, exciting skill set to the table on day one, with the potential to get even stronger.
Tape Watched
Brian Burns vs. Boston College (2018)
Brian Burns vs. Wake Forest (2018)
Brian Burns vs. Virginia Tech (2018)
Brian Burns vs. Alabama (2017)
Best Tape: Miami, Boston College
Worst Tape: Alabama
Other Resources Used
2019 NFL Draft Player Profile: Florida State EDGE Brian Burns