In the proposed blockbuster “Tag-to-Trade,” Lions Land Star Over Rusher

To win a championship, the Detroit Lions will probably need to add a pass rusher to their squad for the upcoming season.Brad Berreman of Fansided suggested that the Lions ought to explore all options when it comes to bringing in an edge rusher. This involves the possibility of an odd deal for Brian Burns with the Carolina Panthers.

Following the Panthers’ application of the franchise tag to the defensive end this offseason, Berreman recommended that the Lions trade for Burns.

On November 4, Adam Schefter of ESPN reported that the Panthers rejected trade proposals for Burns. Nonetheless, Berreman suggested the Lions send their No. 29 overall choice for Burns if Carolina started considering offers right away.

Berreman noted, “Even if Burns is only a one-year rental, the Panthers potentially tagging and trading him may extend the list of clubs who could enter the battle to get him.”

The Lions have a lot of cap space, so giving up their late first-round pick would be simple if it meant acquiring Burns. If there was a trade, perhaps it would be him or no one when it came to trading that first-round pick for an edge rusher.

After Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated stated on February 14 that Burns “might be” a “tag-to-trade candidate,” Berreman connected Burns to the Lions.

Randy Mueller of The Athletic named Burns the top edge rusher available in the NFL free agency class on February 19. Burns was ranked by Mueller as the best player available in free agency this offseason.

Burns is rated as the second-best available edge rusher in this year’s free agency class by Pro Football Focus and USA Today.Burns was ranked second by Pro Football Network among available edge rushers, just behind Josh Allen.

This offseason, is Brian Burns the best edge rusher available?

It’s like splitting hairs to suggest that Burns and Allen are the greatest edge rushers available in free agency. Mueller thinks Burns has a better all-around game, age, and athletic ability.

Mueller stated, “His suddenness and pass rush package should translate to higher-volume production, although the Panthers’ scheme hampered his production considerably.” “Offenses need to have a weekly plan to deal with his abilities.”

Burns, who turns 26 in April, was probably the reason he wasn’t selected for the Pro Bowl in 2023. Still, he finished with eight sacks, sixteen tackles for loss, and eighteen quarterback hits.

During his first five NFL seasons, Burns recorded at least 7.5 sacks. In 2022, he tallied 12.5 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, and 22 receiver hits.

If he were teamed with another outstanding edge rusher on a defense, he might potentially accomplish much more.

Burns was still regarded as one of the top 5 free agents this offseason by PFF and USA Today, despite Allen being ranked higher on both lists of the best available edge rushers.

With Burns, how much more dynamic could Lions Pass Rush be?

Burns and Aidan Hutchinson together would undoubtedly be a formidable team. A combination like that might make Detroit’s pass rush a strength rather than a liability.

The Lions had the highest pressure rate in the NFL in 2023, but only 23rd in terms of sack total—41.The only Detroit defender with more than five sacks was Hutchinson.

The only other Lions defender with more than three sacks, aside from Hutchinson, was defensive tackle Alem McNeill.

The first thing the team needs to focus on over the offseason is finding an edge rusher to complement Hutchinson.

Spotrac estimated Burns’ value over a five-year contract to be close to $109 million. The average yearly compensation under such a contract would be almost $21.7 million.

Find an edge rusher to complement Hutchinson, and Burns would more than meet that need, despite the cost of both acquiring and paying him.

Dave Holcomb is a sportswriter for Heavy.com who covers the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers. Holcomb, a Pittsburgh native, has covered professional and collegiate sports for Fansided, Rotowire, and Yardbarker, among other publications.Additional information on Dave Holcomb