The Carolina Panthers got a bit of representation in a new top-100 list.
As we head into the 2023 season, CBS Sports senior NFL columnist Pete Prisco recently released his annual rankings. Just as his last set, Prisco has a pair of Panthers making the cut.
The first, who came in at No. 76 in 2022, is outside linebacker Brian Burns—who moved up nine spots to No. 67. Prisco writes:
He had a career-high 12.5 sacks last season as he readies to get a new mega contract. He has 38 sacks in four seasons.
Burns also recorded career-highs in combined tackles (63), quarterback hits (22) and pressures (68). That work helped him earn, along with the impending mega contract, his second straight Pro Bowl nod.
Following Burns is defensive tackle Derrick Brown, who plowed into the list for his first time at No. 82:
In his third season in the league, this former top-10 pick had his best season. He had just one sack, but he was a force against the run and pushed the pocket better than the sack number would indicate.
Just as his teammate and fellow Prisco pick, Brown had himself a career campaign this past year. In addition to shattering a franchise record for tackles by a defensive, well, tackle (67), he racked up bests in pressures (40) and stops (31).
