Do the Carolina Panthers have the crown jewel of free agency?
In a fresh piece for The Athletic, former award-winning NFL executive Randy Mueller ranked the top 150 free agents of the 2024 offseason. Leading off his list at No. 1 is No. 0—Panthers outside linebacker Brian Burns.
Mueller writes:
Burns fits all the criteria teams look for in free agency: age, athletic ability and all-around game. His production was limited somewhat by the Panthers’ scheme, but his suddenness and pass rush package should translate to higher-volume production. Offenses must have a plan to deal with his ability each week. Carolina turned down multiple first-round picks for Burns in 2022, so the franchise tag seems likely.
As Mueller notes, the former first-rounder didn’t have his most productive campaign. Burns recorded just 8.0 sacks in 2023, the fewest since his rookie season.
Nonetheless, he still has a ton working for him. Burns turns just 26 years old in April and already has two starting Pro Bowl nods under his belt—along with a bevy of skill and promise.
Carolina, however, probably won’t let their prized pass rusher hit the open market. If Panthers and Burns still cannot come to a long-term agreement by March 5, expect the team to break out the franchise tag for the eighth time in their history.
