There’s a lot of hype building behind the New York Giants’ defensive standout, Brian Burns.
Although he has already spent a season in New York, one NFL analyst anticipates a major rise for Burns during the 2025 NFL season.
Marc Ross of NFL.com listed seven players who he believes are “guaranteed risers” in the league this season. Burns topped the list now that he has a young stud joining the organization.
“I guarantee the two-time Pro Bowler’s production will vastly increase with Abdul Carter’s arrival,” Ross wrote. “The No. 3 overall draft pick is the most talented pass pusher to enter the league since Micah Parsons in 2021, and Carter’s impact on the Giants defense is likely to be similar to the one the four-time Pro Bowler has made in Dallas.”
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Since entering the NFL out of Florida State in 2019, Burns has had high expectations attached. He was the 16th overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, joining the Carolina Panthers.
It wasn’t until year two that Burns became a full-time starter for the Panthers. He appeared in 15 games, generating 58 tackles and nine sacks.
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Throughout Burns’ five-year run in Carolina, he earned two Pro Bowl nods. His first came in 2021, when he produced 50 tackles, nine sacks, and 18 total hits on the quarterback in 17 games. In 2022, Burns followed up with another Pro Bowl performance, generating 63 tackles, 12.5 sacks, and 22 hits on the quarterback. He also forced a fumble.
After Burns played his final season with the Panthers in 2023, the veteran was traded to the Giants. Once he ended up in New York, Burns earned a five-year extension, which was worth $141 million. The Giants were happy with the investment after year one of the deal.
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In 17 games, Burns came up with 71 tackles, which marked a career high. He also had 18 hits on the quarterback, 8.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and eight pass deflections.
Offensive lines had their hands full with Burns, Dexter Lawrence, and Kayvon Thibodeaux last season. It certainly doesn’t get any easier with a guy like Abdul Carter in the situation. The former Penn State defensive lineman enters the NFL as one of the most intriguing prospects. That might take some of the attention off Burns, leaving the talented veteran to take advantage of double-teams happening elsewhere.
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