For those NFL teams who need help rushing the passer, the incoming Draft class presents perhaps the best remedy in the form of pass rushers by the dozens. Among the teams looking for edge rushers are the Carolina Panthers, who are now officially doing their homework on one of the Draft's top defensive end prospects.

According to a report by Jon Ledyard of Draft Network, the Panthers were among the teams who hosted Florida State Seminoles defensive end Brian Burns for an official visit. Carolina was just one of the teams who hosted Burns, as he also visited the Tennessee Titans, Arizona Cardinals, and Indianapolis Colts. In addition, Burns has meetings scheduled with all but one of the teams picking in the Top 10 in the Draft following his Pro Day on Thursday.

In three years at Florida State, Burns appeared in 38 games with 25 starts, recording 124 tackles (39.5 for loss) with 24 sacks, seven forced fumbles, seven pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries. His 24 sacks rank fifth in the history of the Seminoles, and he is eighth on the University's all-time career tackles for loss list. Burns also proved to be a difference maker on special teams, blocking two kicks during his career.

Burns entered the NFL Draft following a junior year of 2018 that saw him earn First-Team All-ACC honors. At the NFL Combine, Burns was measured as 6-foot-4 6/8 and weighed in at 249 pounds before partaking in his various drills. Burns recorded a time of 4.53 in the 40-yard dash, which ranked second-best among edge rushers, and his three-cone drill time was fifth-best among edge rushers at 7.01 seconds.

While Burns has been praised for his flexibility and pass rushing tools (Draft Network's Kyle Crabbs remarked that Burns is "more flexible than Gumby"), his weight relative to the position he plays has been the primary concern among NFL scouts. Burns stated at the NFL Combine that he is comfortable with his current weight, but feels like he has the room to put on more.

"I put it on because I want to enhance my game to a new level. I want to work on speed to power. I want to work on certain things and, with that, I need the weight for it," said Burns. "I feel like as long as I can keep that weight on and move the same way I always move, I’ll be fine."

While Burns checks the box for the Panthers' edge rushing needs, it should be noted that their history of drafting players out of Florida State has been a rather poor one. The Panthers have drafted three players from the Seminoles in franchise history: Quarterback Chris Weinke in the fourth round of the 2001 Draft, defensive end Everette Brown in the second round of the 2009 Draft, and wide receiver Kelvin Benjamin in the first round of the 2014 Draft. Of those three players, none would have a long-term playing future with the team - Though Brown now serves as a member of the Panthers' coaching staff.