Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Potential Florida State Seminoles on the radar
By Dylan Grimm
Brian Burns, Defensive End
Brian Burns was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school and he showed over the last three seasons at FSU that it was earned and not given. In three seasons in Tallahassee Burns totaled 123 tackles, 23 sacks and 7 forced fumbles while wreaking havoc in opposing offenses backfield.
Burns is a bit thin to be every down defensive end at the NFL level but if he continues to add weight like he has started to do since departing Florida State, he will bulk up in no time. Burns, however, has great length at almost 6’5” with a 33 7/8th inch arm length and ten-inch hands.
He tested extremely well at the combine, running a 4.53 40, which was second best among his position and looked fluid during his on-field drills, showing great hip flexibility and lateral quickness. Burns plays with a quick twitch that is simply elite and will be an elite pass rusher.
Focusing on improving his run defense would benefit him to play as long and effectively as possible, and the more weight he adds the easier that becomes. Burns is athletic enough to play in a 3-4 or a 4-3 scheme and that versatility on top of his abilities makes him a lock for a first round pick this upcoming April.