The New York Giants made a massive move this offseason, acquiring star edge rusher Brian Burns in a trade with the Carolina Panthers.
The move bolstered what should be a promising pass rush for the Giants, giving Big Blue a strong tandem of Burns and Kayvon Thibodeaux to lean on.
The majority of analysts and experts believed it was a strong move for the Giants considering the defense's lack of consistent pass rush.
However, Anthony DiBona of Pro Football Network feels Burns is the team's most overrated player.
In an attempt to keep up with the rest of the NFC East, the New York Giants made a blockbuster trade for edge rusher Brian Burns this offseason. Not only did the Giants trade multiple draft picks for Burns, but they also made him the third-highest-paid edge rusher in the NFL.
Despite New York’s massive commitment, it’s fair to wonder if Burns has officially become overrated at this point. He was an impactful pass rusher for the Panthers, but it’s fair to wonder if he was ever considered elite.
Burns recorded just 40 total pressures in 2023. The Giants certainly hope that he’ll play better moving forward.
Burns is coming off a down season in terms of pressure rate. However, he's a perfect fit for Shane Bowen's defense, especially with all the snaps from the wide-9 he'll be seeing. He's also recorded at least 8.0 sacks in each of the last four seasons.
The Giants have lacked a true speed rusher off the edge, and Burns checks that box. His length and bend when running the arc make him an ideal candidate on the edge in Bowen's defense.
While the Giants surely hope Burns hasn't hit his ceiling, there's a good chance he will improve on last year's marks as he enters the prime of his career.