Gone are the days where NFL training camps open with several rookies holding out over their contracts. As teams report this week, there were less than a handful of rookies unsigned.
There are even less now.
Wednesday morning, the Carolina Panthers agreed to terms with first-round pick Brian Burns, NFL Media's Tom Pelissero reported. Burns is a defensive end from Florida State who the Panthers selected with the No. 16 overall pick. Burns was considered to be a top 10-20 pick.
The Panthers are expected to give Burns an immediate chance to make an impact on their defense. If the rookie can provide an instant pass-rush spark, it could go a long way to making this defense special again.
So, clearly Carolina head coach Ron Rivera, a defensive specialist, is relieved he got his first-round pick to camp in time.
With Burns now agreed to terms, there are only two other first-round picks who remain unsigned with camps reporting this week. They are Nick Bosa and Quinnen Williams.
Bosa, a pass-rusher from Ohio State, was the No. 2 overall draft pick. Williams, a stout defensive tackle from Alabama, was the No. 3 overall draft pick by the New York Jets. San Francisco second-round pick receiver Deebo Samuel from South Carolina is the other unsigned rookie.
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