2019 NFL Mock Draft: Redskins, Patriots trade up in at-the-buzzer projection

15. New York Jets (via Redskins): Brian Burns, EDGE, Florida State

Some people may argue that the New York Jets should stay at No. 3 to take an elite player like Quinnen Williams or Josh Allen, this is a team that still has many needs to address before their rebuild is complete. Thus, it makes all the more sense for general manager Mike Maccagnan to instead take advantage of a desperate Washington front office and move down, adding another 2020 first-rounder in the process.

That trade works out beautifully for them in this mock draft as Brian Burns falls to them with the 15th-overall pick. The Jets haven’t had a consistent force at edge rusher since John Abraham, but they change that with Burns. Perhaps the best pure pass-rusher in the class, the Florida State product possesses elite burst and explosiveness, along with an underrated array of pass-rush moves to deploy. He’ll step in on Day 1 and rejuvenate the Jets’ pass rush.

16. Carolina Panthers: Rashan Gary, DL, Michigan

The recent revelation that Rashan Gary is dealing with a torn labrum puts the Michigan product’s draft stock in limbo on the day of the event. Projected by some as a top-10 pick, there’s a chance that he could have a freefall with teams concerned about both his health and lack of production throughout his three years with the Wolverines. However, the Carolina Panthers end that brief slide with the 16th pick.

After taking an end-of-career rental with Julius Peppers in 2018, the Panthers need to get more depth at edge rusher to pair with Mario Addison and free-agent addition Bruce Irvin. Gary can offer that as an elite physical specimen with uncanny athletic ability for a player with his elite size and power, a combination of traits that also makes him a potentially movable piece that can slot inside. While he needs polish and focus on technique to reach his potential, that potential is too tantalizing for Carolina to let slip past them.