NFL Mock Draft 4.0: Quarterbacks rise post-combine, Redskins land pass catcher

The Raiders picked a quarterback early, but they were still able to land a quality edge rusher to help replace Khalil Mack. Brian Burns has been garnering some buzz from draft analysts, but it’s possible that he will be available at this juncture.

Burns is a great speed rusher, and he has excellent athleticism off the edge. At Florida State, he was able to beat opposing tackles with ease in obvious pass rushing scenarios. He should retain that quick first step at the NFL level and will be a threatening player in that position.

However, there are some concerns with Burns. The first is related to his size. Burns did dispell some of those concerns by tipping the scales at 250 during the combine and still showing very good speed and movement skills. However, the larger concern here is that he may still lack the functional strength needed to win on the edge and may become too reliant on his speed and athletic ability. In short, he could be a one-trick pony.

Also, on tape, Burns’ run defense isn’t quite as good as some of the other edge rushers garnering top-15 consideration. This could have been because he was at a leaner weight, but at the same time, it could just be a deficient area of his game, as he wasn’t always able to get involved in the play and make the stop. If this becomes an issue at the NFL level, Burns could find himself playing mostly on a rotational basis.

Burns still could become a great NFL player and there’s a chance that he could rise in the lead-up to the draft. But, for now, he’s firmly behind the likes of Montez Sweat and the other top edge rushers, in this analyst’s opinion. If he has a shot at overtaking anyone, it would be Clelin Ferrell. But for the moment, Burns is a great pick for the Raiders here and would represent a strong value.

The Redskins could consider Burns with the 15th pick, but for now, he’s more of a late-first-round guy.