FSU Football: Brian Burns’ draft stock hurt by deep defensive line class

FSU football fans should be watching another former Seminole getting picked in the top 10 of the draft, but this season it is monster up front.

For those that have watched the FSU football team over the last three seasons, it hasn’t been much of a stretch to say that one of the few bright spots for the Seminoles was the play of defensive end Brian Burns – a man who may go down as one of the best players for the garnet and gold at that spot considering all the variables.

Sadly, the Noles won’t have his services anymore after Burns announced he was leaving school early to head off the pro game and the NFL Draft. Of course, as much as we’ll miss him not even the most blindly loyal FSU football fan can blame him for a move that will see him getting PAID in just under two weeks.

But, is Burns going to be the victim of too much talent at the defensive line and EDGE positions that is joining him in this year’s draft?

With some mock drafts having the FSU football star going as high as the top five and as low as the 20s (and even some insane people having him going in the second round), Burns is in the middle of a group that includes players who might be among the best five players regardless of position out there.

Sports Illustrated recently ranked the top defensive line and EDGE players out there and out of the top 15 overall players, over half of them came from that area of the field.

"EDGE Nick Bosa, Ohio State (No. 1 at position and overall)DT Quinnen Williams, Alabama (No. 2 at position and overall)EDGE Josh Allen, Kentucky (No. 3 at position and overall)DT Ed Oliver, Houston (No. 4 at position and overall)EDGE Montez Sweat, Mississippi State (No. 5 at position and overall)DT Christian Wilkins, Clemson (No. 6 at position, No. 10 overall)EDGE Rashan Gray, Michigan (No. 7 at position, No. 12 overall)EDGE BRIAN BURNS, FLORIDA STATE (No. 8 at position, No. 15 overall)"

We all know that the draft is not going to turn out this way as teams are going to go for quarterback and offensive linemen and other spots – but that is one heck of a group by itself when it comes to a specific unit.

FSU football has experience facing off against both Williams and Wilkins, while Burns as a five star recruit along with Gray. Over the course of the past season, Burns shined for the entire year while Bosa left the school halfway through the year and Oliver didn’t live up to the preseason hype.

No matter where he gets picked, someone is about to be very happy that they went with the former Seminole star – as he has the potential to one day be the best out of that whole group.