The Carolina Panthers are not having a good time this season thus far. The team heads into Week 3 win-less and in last place in the division despite two home games. Worse, quarterback Cam Newton has not played well and re-injured his foot, raising questions about his availability for this week’s game.
If you’re looking for a silver lining, remember the promise of rookie outside linebacker Brian Burns. According to Pro Football Focus, he’s graded out at 69.1 over the first two weeks of 2019.
“In his Thursday night performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Burns once again showed his ability to get after the quarterback. He recorded a sack, a hit and two hurries on his 14 pass-rushing snaps and won an impressive 28.6% of his pass-rushing matchups in the process. Through two weeks, Burns ranks third among all first-year defenders in pressures, with seven.”
That grade is the sixth-best among all first-round picks so far.
Only 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa, Giants DT Dexter Lawrence, Packers safety Darnell Savage, Raiders running back Josh Jacobs and Ravens wide receiver Marquise Brown have graded out higher.
