3 Teams Crazy Enough to Sign Vontaze Burfict

When he's actually on the field, it's not a stretch to call Vontaze Burfict one of the best downhill linebackers in the NFL. The oft-suspended LB is rarely active, though, most recently missing the last 12 games of the 2019 season due to suspension – the longest punishment for an on-field infraction in league history.

Burfict is undeniably talented, however, and former Pro Bowlers often get multiple chances to clean up their act at the NFL level. With that in mind, here are three teams that might be crazy enough to take a gamble on Burfict in 2020.

1. Kansas City Chiefs

Frank Clark on the sidelines against the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LIV. / Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Even the reigning Super Bowl champions are not without their flaws. The Kansas City Chiefs finished the regular season as the league's fourth-worst run defense, per Football Outsiders' DVOA metrics. They cleaned up their act when it mattered most, holding Raheem Mostert to 58 rushing yards in Super Bowl LIV and Derrick Henry to 69 in the AFC Championship, but this unit could still use a boost. Burfict would certainly provide just that if he can stay on the field.

2. Carolina Panthers

Luke Kuechly walked away this offseason, leaving a hole in the Panthers' LB corps. / Jacob Kupferman/Getty Images

The Carolina Panthers were the league's worst run defense by DVOA in 2019. In fact, Carolina also surrendered a league-high 5.2 yards per carry and allowed the fourth-most rushing yards per game (143.5). That unit could get a whole lot worse in 2020, too, as seven-time Pro Bowl LB Luke Kuechly surprisingly called it a career at the end of the year. With a new coaching regime running the show, the Panthers obviously need to make drastic changes to fix this unit, and taking a flyer on Burfict could prove to be a worthwhile gamble.

3. Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks need to improve their run defense in 2020. / Steven Ryan/Getty Images

For a team that places such a frustrating emphasis on running the ball on offense, the Seattle Seahawks' defense was far worse against the run than many would expect. Seattle finished as the league's seventh-worst run defense by DVOA last season, and they could lose Jadeveon Clowney, who PFF graded as the ninth-best edge defender against the run (minimum 700 snaps). With a clear need for help in stopping the run game, Seattle could justify taking a risk on Burfict.

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Max Staley is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Max Staley also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username mstaley1212. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his personal views, he may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his personal account. The views expressed in their articles are the author's alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.