Brian Burns Mocked to Los Angeles Rams in Trade Proposal

Could the Los Angeles Rams trade for star defender Brian Burns?

The Los Angeles Rams haven't had a first-round pick since 2016, when they selected quarterback Jared Goff. That's set to change next offseason, with general manager Les Snead and coach Sean McVay slated to have a pick in the first round for the first time in eight years. 

That is unless they trade the pick away in the interim. 

Pro Football Focus recently proposed some trades that they believe should be made before the NFL trade deadline on Oct. 31. One of the 10 mocked deals sees the Rams acquiring edge rusher Brian Burns from the Carolina Panthers. To land Burns, the Rams would give up their 2024 first-round pick, a 2025 second-round pick and a 2026 fourth-round pick. 

"A new-look Rams team is exceeding expectations by a good margin so far in 2023 and should be looking to add a premium talent to a roster that ranks dead last in cash spending as opposed to first in cash spending in 2022, when they offered two first-round picks and a second-round pick for Burns," PFF wrote. 

"This offer removes one of the first-round picks from the equation, as we’re a year later into Burns’ career with zero cheap years remaining." 

Could the Los Angeles Rams trade for Brian Burns?  / USA Today

It's an interesting proposal, given the past interest that the Rams have had in Burns. Snead and McVay have previously made megadeals for the likes of cornerback Jalen Ramsey and receiver Brandin Cooks, among others. You just wonder if after not having a first-round pick for so long, the Rams would be willing to go another season without the possibility of gaining five years of cheap control over one of the elite talents in next year's NFL Draft. 

Burns already has 20 combined tackles, nine quarterback hits, seven tackles for a loss and four sacks. He's one of the better edge defenders in the sport and is only 25 years old. At 0-6, the rebuilding Panthers might be best served getting assets back for Burns, rather than giving him a long-term deal. And there will be teams willing to give them those assets and sign Burns to a new contract. 

Whether the Rams should be that team -- rather than using the drafting prowess they've shown in late rounds to stack more young talent -- may be another story.