Redskins 2019 NFL Draft top twenty edge rusher big board

Brian Burns has a serious case to make as potentially the top edge rusher in the 2019 NFL Draft. In any other class, he would likely be there already. But while Burns doesn’t necessarily get the love he deserves, the film reveals the truth: That Burns is a top-five overall prospect, and a blue-chip pass rusher in waiting.

Burns has every desired trait for an edge rusher at the NFL level. Length? 34-inch arms. Burst? 10-yard split near the ninety-ninth percentile. Bend? Easily the best bend in the class, and on par with transcendent prospects of past drafts. Lateral mobility? Cat-like.

Burns has very rare athletic traits, and he supplements them with a surprising level of nuance on tape. He knows how to gain leverage with his length, and he knows how to use a combination of traits to win against linemen, whether it’s a quick rush to the outside, then a counter back to the inside, or a fast, blunt hand swipe to push a linemen’s mitts away. Burns’ game has power; it’s just a type of power that doesn’t flash off the screen. It proves effective, however, when Burns gets pressure.

The biggest knock on Burns coming out of college was his weight; it was rumored that he played at 230 pounds. Burns put those concerns to bed, however, when he showed up to the NFL Combine at 250, having added 20 pounds of good weight. He still moved very well in drills, and his added weight didn’t seem to have a detrimental effect. His motor didn’t always burn red hot, but that’s less of Burns taking plays off and more of Burns conserving energy when a play gets away from him. These instances were present, but not prevalent, on his tape. All other evidence suggests he’s a very hard worker and a smart player who’s motivated to maximize his game.

Burns could stand to improve his play strength in certain situations, but even in run defense, he was able to use his length to anchor linemen and set the edge. He’s a prospect with very few holes to his game, and if he works with a coach who can take his transcendent athletic traits and maximize them, then Burns can be a double-digit sack artist for the Redskins, year in and year out. If he drops to the Redskins at No. 15, the Redskins, quite simply, must pick him.