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Denver Broncos: Potential Trade Targets with the Carolina Panthers

By Chandler Hyler

DENVER, CO - JANUARY 24: College football player Christian McCaffrey of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sideline in the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JANUARY 24: College football player Christian McCaffrey of the Stanford Cardinal looks on from the sideline in the AFC Championship game between the New England Patriots and the Denver Broncos at Sports Authority Field at Mile High on January 24, 2016 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
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Drew Lock, Denver Broncos
Dec 13, 2020; Charlotte, North Carolina, USA; Denver Broncos quarterback Drew Lock (3) looks to pass as Carolina Panthers defensive end Brian Burns (53) pressures in the third quarter at Bank of America Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /

Denver Broncos trade idea with Panthers no. 2: Trade for Brian Burns

One of the most glaring positions of need for the Denver Broncos is the edge position.

With Von Miller being traded, Bradley Chubb constantly being banged up, Malik Reed sitting as a restricted free agent, this position has more questions than answers. At a premiere position, that is certainly not a spot you want to be in.

Edge/pass rusher is one of what I consider to be the four pillars of a team; quarterback, offensive tackle, cornerback, and pass rusher. Unfortunately, the Denver Broncos have questions at all of those positions, but trading for a stud pass rusher like Brain Burns would solve one of those issues.

Burns has 25.5 sacks in his three full seasons with the Carolina Panthers, along with 133 tackles and six forced fumbles. In comparison, Bradley Chubb has just 20.5 sacks, and four forced fumbles. This isn’t saying boot Bradley Chubb for Brian Burns, it is lobbying to pair Burns with Chubb.

Burns could be the more productive pass rush prototype, winning with speed and quickness, while Bradley Chubb can be the force and win with power while controlling the edge in run support.

Both have quality characteristics, but they are different, which I think would actually support fantastic complimentary football from the duo. Burns will cost just $2.3 million against the cap this year as he was a first-round pick in 2019.

What does benefit the Denver Broncos in this scenario is that he was a first-round selection, so the Denver Broncos would have the fifth-year option before having to sign him to a long-term deal.

This draft is loaded with edge talent, so there is a counter argument to be made about the Broncos spending multiple picks on Burns when they could select a starter well into day two, but those selections are never guaranteed, regardless of the hype.

George Paton and the Denver Broncos know what they would be getting in Burns, a high-ceiling, high-motor pass rusher that gets home and turns the football over when he does.

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