When the New York Giants acquired edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers within the coronary heart of the free company interval, they’d hoped to take their defensive position to the subsequent stage.
Forward of their first season collectively, the mix of Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux has been named a top-10 cross rush duo by ESPN.
The Giants ranked seventh general on the record, behind the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, and Philadelphia Eagles.
The duo of Thibodeaux and Burns ought to be robust from the bounce in 2024 and with Dexter Lawrence additionally within the combine, the defensive position is predicted to be one of many elite models within the NFL.
ESPN additionally ranked the highest 50 edge rushers the place the Giants noticed Burns, Thibodeaux, and Azeez Ojulari make the record. By no shock, Burns was the highest-ranked Large on the record at ninth general.
9. Brian Burns, New York Giants
Projected 2024 sacks: 10.2ESPN BET over/below: 8.52023 sack whole: 8.0
The mannequin is projecting Burns’ first season with the Giants to end in a sack improve after he was dealt from Carolina this previous offseason. Burns has been a gentle performer at a stage just under the elite cross rushers, maxing out at 12.5 sacks in 2022. He managed solely eight final season, although taking part in on a foul Panthers workforce that was hardly ever forward contributed to the decrease whole. The Giants aren’t a lot better, however Burns’ historical past of constantly robust win charges and his 2022 manufacturing buoys his forecast.
Given the quantity the Giants gave up for Burns and the contract that ensued following the commerce, there are large expectations surrounding the veteran.
This would be the most expertise Burns has ever been round on a defensive entrance and they need to be the Giants’ strongest defensive unit this season.
