Carolina Panthers insider reveals Marquis Haynes Sr. as top standout in OTAs

ESPN insider reports from OTAs bring good news for Carolina Panthers fans. Former fourth-round draft pick Marquis Haynes Sr. is impressing coaches as he enters another contract season.

Although the insider predicts the Panthers will still add another, more veteran defensive end, Haynes is currently playing counterpart to star rusher Brian Burns.

“Nobody stood out more in Carolina’s quest to find an edge rusher opposite Brian Burns than the sixth-year player,” Carolina insider David Newton wrote. “He constantly was in the face of rookie quarterback Bryce Young, who said Haynes has ‘been great.’ Carolina still likely will add a veteran edge rusher, but what Haynes has shown coming off a season in which he had a career-high five sacks has to make coach Frank Reich & Co. more comfortable.”

In 2022, Haynes posted a career-high five sacks, along with 29 tackles and a fumble recovery in 17 games played. After tallying 20 tackles, three sacks and 1.5 tackles for loss, the Panthers signed the edge rusher to a new two-year deal worth $5.5 million.

The Panthers drafted Haynes at No. 136 overall in the fourth round of the 2018 NFL Draft out of Ole Miss. After minimal participation in his rookie season, he’s continually increased his impact on the Carolina defense over the last four years.

Burns also hoping for big payday

Like Haynes, Brian Burns is also eyeing a big payday in 2024. The former first-round pick is entering the final year of his rookie deal on a fifth-year option, meaning he’ll have to negotiate a new contract by next offseason.

In a recent article from ESPN, he said he “definitely” expects to end up among the highest-paid players at his position. Burns will make $16.01 million this upcoming season. He is already in conversations about a new long-term deal. He says is taking his time to make sure he gets what he feels he deserves.

“I don’t have a preference (on when the deal gets done),” Burns said. “Really, I’m blessed to be in that (conversation) for an opportunity to have that (type of a deal). Right now, I’m enjoying the process and enjoying everything that comes with it.”

The Panthers selected Brian Burns with the No. 16 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Florida State. Since then, he ranks 11th in the league with 38 sacks. He is coming off the best season of his career in 2022, finishing with career highs in tackles (63), tackles for loss (17), quarterback hits (22) and sacks (12.5).

On3’s Chandler Vessels contributed to this report.