We haven’t seen much of the 2019 NFL draft class for the Panthers yet. However, we can confirm they nailed their first-round pick. Brian Burns dominated the preseason, collecting four sacks despite limited playing time in two of Carolina’s four exhibition contests. Anything that happens in August has to come with an asterisk, but Burns’ success getting after the quarterback has carried over into the regular season.
According to Sheil Kapadia at the Athletic, through two weeks of play Burns ranks No. 7 in the league in terms of % of pass-rush snaps that result in a sack or a QB hit. Dontari Poe is tied for No. 11.
Burns has some tough competition like Ed Oliver, Devin Bush and Nick Bosa, but he should at least wind up in the conversation for Defensive Rookie of the Year.
Burns and Poe aren’t the only ones showing out. Carolina’s pass rush has been pretty solid in general. So far, the team only has four sacks but they have collected 15 QB hits, which ranks sixth in the league going into Sunday’s games.
