Treylon Burks is a top receiving prospect in the 2022 NFL Draft. The. 6-foot-3 receiver entered college as a four-star prospect and has exceeded expectations. Burks was on the All-SEC Second Team in 2020. He caught for 1,104 yards last season and was on the Biletnikoff and Maxwell Awards Watch Lists. He projects to be selected highly in this year’s draft with many scouts raving over his talent.
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Player Bio
Name: Treylon Burks
Jersey: No. 16
Position: Wide Receiver
School: Arkansas
Class: Junior
Height: 6’3”
Weight: 225 lbs
Games Watched: Texas A&M (2021), Ole Miss (2021), Auburn (2021)
Major Injury History: Torn ACL (2018)
Player Breakdown
Hands/Ball Security (10/10)
When it comes to ball security and hands, there are no concerns with Burks. The Arkansas product has massive hands and he put them to good work. Burks uses his hands well with his size after he shields off the opposing defensive back to make catches. Near the sideline, he has also shown the capability to reach out and make plays while keeping his feet in bounds.
Contested Catch (10/10)
Contested catching is another area that makes Burks appealing to many. He uses all of his physical traits well when attempting a tough catch. Burks often outsized the opposing defensive back so he uses it to his advantage and makes difficult catches with his excellent hands. Since he sometimes struggles to create separation, the ability to make a contested catch is important.
Tracking/Body Control (10/10)
Burks’ body control paired with his physical traits give him unique ability. He can get vertical and catch passes a bit out of his reach while staying in the correct position. Burks’ body control and hands give him the ability to consistently make contested catches. His body control and ability with the contested catch are reminiscent of Tennesee Titans wide receiver A.J. Brown.
Route Running (7/10)
One of Burks’ biggest areas needing improvement is in his route running. He struggles to create separation and lacks the twitch needed to burn his defenders on routes. Burks flashed a few exceptional routes, but most of the time struggles to create room and relies on contested-catch or a slight push off which many be penalized at the next level.
Separation (6/10)
As mentioned in the previous section, Burks often has trouble creating separation. While he has good top speed, his acceleration lacks at times and he has to make a contested catch to make up for it. Working on his route running could help, but this may be an area that stays a weakness in the NFL. However, his top speed and other traits make up for it.
Release (6/10)
Burks does not have a wide array of releases that he can use to beat defenders. He is rarely pressed because of his size and physicality but lacks the release ability to capitalize off a defensive back playing off the line. Improving his variety in regard to releases could make him even more potent at the next level.
Run After the Catch (10/10)
After the catch is an intriguing area for teams looking at Burks. After catching the ball, he can add several yards to the play. Burks can take a quick catch and run it for a first down if he has a bit of open space. His size and after-the-catch ability have made him draw comparisons to Deebo Samuel.
Vertical Speed (9.75/10)
Burks’ vertical speed is excellent. While his acceleration is not elite, once he is moving, he is fast. Opposing defenses often have to play a few yards off the line to accommodate giving Burks an advantage from the snap. When he finds open space, his speed can become dangerous and allow him to pick up extra yards after the catch.
Burst/Acceleration (2.5/5)
Burks has displayed good burst for his size, but his acceleration is poor. As mentioned, he has great top speed but his acceleration lacks. Burks’ ability to create separation is worse because of his inadequate acceleration. It is unlikely he improves much in this area in the NFL, but improving his route tree and releases could accommodate.
Athleticism (5/5)
From an athleticism standpoint, Burks is outstanding. He has great speed for a player of his size and makes good use of it. When Burks finds open space he is overwhelming and can pick up extra yards after the catch. On contested catches, he has good body control and his athleticism lets him make spectacular catches leaving fans in awe.
Blocking (4.25/5)
Burks is a solid blocker in the running game. He has the ability to pancake the opposing defender because of his size and strength. However, has missed a few blocks and committed penalties blocking as well. The potential is there for Burks as a blocker, but he will need to be more consistent at the next level.
Versatility (5/5)
Versatility is an A+ trait for Burks as he can be used in many different positions. Arkansas lined him up in the backfield, in the slot, and on the outside and he was successful. His physical tools and athleticism give him versatility that is uncommon in the NFL. Burks can be used like Samuel which makes him a nightmare for opposing defensive coordinators.
Player Summary
Burks is a fascinating prospect because of his versatility and size. He can be lined up in multiple places across the field and find success. Burks is terrific after the catch if he has open space but also has a rare talent when it comes to making contested catches. His acceleration, route tree, and releases can improve, but he has a lot of potential in other areas which make up for it.
Rookie Projections: Starting Receiver
Third Year Projections: Pro-Bowl Receiver
Final Grade (85.5/100): Late First Round
Player Comp: A.J. Brown/Deebo Samuel
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