2019 NFL Mock Draft 1.0: Los Angeles Rams focus on linebacker first round

8. Detroit Lions: Brian Burns, Edge, Florida State

Back when the Detroit Lions hired Matt Patricia as their new head coach, the hope was his previous success with the New England Patriots would help provide a much-needed boost to the defense.

While it’s unfair to judge Patricia after only one season since the Lions are clearly a work in progress, the pressure will be on in 2019 to make sure this team succeeds, or he’s going to find himself on the hot seat.

Matthew Stafford has established a reputation throughout his career for making the players around him better on offense, but even Patricia knows the only chance this team is going to have at getting back on track is if the defense figures out a way to improve.

The good news for the Lions after a disappointing season is with a top-10 pick, there will be plenty of candidates to choose from at No. 8 if the team decides to focus on the defensive side of the football early on.

A team like Detroit could certainly benefit from adding another pass rusher, and it seems like only a matter of time before Brian Burns is making a serious impact on the NFL level, meaning the Lions would be lucky to land the Florida State star.