Assessing Washington Redskins first-round options: EDGE Brian Burns
By Ian Cummings
How Burns fits the Redskins
If Preston Smith walks, then the Washington Redskins will need a new starter opposite Ryan Kerrigan. They don’t quite need a replacement for Kerrigan yet; the veteran, despite turning 31 this August, recently went to his fourth Pro Bowl, and he shows no signs of slowing down.
That said, getting a starter in Round 1 of this year’s draft serves two purposes: It fills a hole that presumably appears with the departure of Preston Smith, and it gives the Redskins young talent on the edge to carry over once Kerrigan begins his regression.
For the Redskins, there are a number of different types of edge rushers in their range who could incur a considerable long-term impact. Clelin Ferrell is a relatively pro-ready prospect who could have a similar career to Kerrigan himself, and Jachai Polite would bring impressive speed to the edge.
But of the edge rushers most likely to be picked in the No. 10-20 range, Brian Burns has the most upside. Despite his lanky frame, he’s stronger than Polite, and just as fast off the line. He also brings bend to the table, a trait that only the best edge rushers exude consistently.
If NFL scouts do their homework, Burns shouldn’t fall outside the top ten. But NFL scouts sometimes prioritize the wrong things. If Burns weighs in on the light side at the NFL Combine, he very well could slip into the Redskins clutches. And at No. 15, he’d be an elite prospect to pair with a stable veteran, instantly giving the Redskins one of the better tandems in the league.