Friday open thread: Montez Sweat or Brian Burns?

This week, we inadvertently created a rift among Detroit Lions fans. When the Lions were on the clock in our Pride of Detroit Community Mock Draft, Kent Lee Platte selected Mississippi State defensive end Montez Sweat. A few hours later, I was up in SB Nation’s Blogger Mock Draft, and with Sweat still on the board, I selected Florida State defensive end Brian Burns.

What followed was a furious debate. A challenge was thrown down, and a cage match between myself and Kent is tentatively scheduled for 2032.

But before we throw on our respective spandex unitards, I want to put up a debate to the Detroit Lions fans.

Today’s Question of the Day is:

Which NFL Draft prospect would you prefer the Lions to draft: Montez Sweat or Brian Burns?

My answer: Y’all already know my answer, and you can see some of my explanations here.

But to expand on that a bit, I really think Brian Burns may be something special. Every step of the way during his college career, Burns has had to adjust. And every step of the way, he has succeeded. He has put on extra pounds, he has changed defensive schemes, and he has looked amazing at every point in the process.

He may need to put on a few more pounds to succeed in the NFL, but he’s already added some weight and it didn’t take anything away from his athleticism.

Burns has the most refined pass rush moves, and his consistent improvement throughout college tells me he’ll only get better with great coaching.

To be fair, Montez Sweat has put a lot of doubts to bed over the past few months. Some called him stiff or unable to bend, but Sweat’s shocking NFL Combine scores revealed him to be a top athlete in this class.

My concern with Sweat is simply that his pass rushing moves do not excite me. He looks underdeveloped there, despite gaudy sack numbers for his past two years. Though he’s a little more reliable as a run defender—and that may be something the Lions value more—I’m just not so sure he’ll be the game-changing playmaker that Burns will be.

I like both players, and the Lions would do fine if either end up in a Honolulu Blue uniform, but give me Burns.

Your turn.