Redskins: 3 edge rushers to watch at the 2019 NFL Combine

NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 13: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators pressures quarterback Kyle Shurmur #14 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - OCTOBER 13: Jachai Polite #99 of the Florida Gators pressures quarterback Kyle Shurmur #14 of the Vanderbilt Commodores during the second half at Vanderbilt Stadium on October 13, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Frederick Breedon/Getty Images) /
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MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 06: Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles causes a fumble by N’Kosi Perry #5 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL – OCTOBER 06: Brian Burns #99 of the Florida State Seminoles causes a fumble by N’Kosi Perry #5 of the Miami Hurricanes in the first half at Hard Rock Stadium on October 6, 2018 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images) /

The Combine is going to be more important for Brian Burns than any other edge rush prospect. Simply put, he has a lot more to prove than any other player at the position, and a lot of that boils down to what he will weigh in at during the Combine.

While Burns has great length and is 6-5, he is very lean for an edge player. He played at around 230 pounds during his time at Florida State. For the NFL level, he will likely look to add at least 10 pounds of muscle in order to avoid being bullied on the edge. The Combine will be his first chance to show that he is capable of adding weight to his lean frame.

However, at the same time, Burns was a speed-based player at Florida State. He used his athletic ability and excellent get-off at the line to get into the backfield and make plays. If he comes in at a higher weight, he will have to show that he can keep that same sort of athletic burst at the next level. If he can’t, he may have to stay lean and that could cause problems for him in run defense, as he’ll be less likely to win with strength and help set the edge.

Next. Scouting Brian Burns as an option for Redskins first-round pick. dark

Conversely, if Burns bulks up and demonstrates comparable athletic ability, he could see himself climb up draft boards. His stock is volatile, but this week should do a lot to show if he’s a top-15 prospect or more of a fringe first-round option. The Redskins will take interest as they evaluate him as a potential option for their first-round pick.