Treylon Burks is one of the more physical receivers in this year’s NFL Draft.
Note: The NFL Draft begins April 28 and the Green Bay Packers have the 22nd and 28th pick in the first round. Between now and then, I’ll examine 25 players the Packers could select with either of those picks.
Today, we look at Arkansas wide receiver Treylon Burks.
TREYLON BURKS, WR, ARKANSAS
THE SKINNY
Burks was a four-star recruit and the No. 1 player in the state of Arkansas during the 2019 recruiting cycle. Burks then became a starter from Day 1 during his three years with the Razorbacks.
Burks lined up as the X receiver, in the slot and in the backfield during his time at Arkansas.
He led the Razorbacks in receiving yards (475) as a freshman on just 29 catches (16.4 average). During the COVID-shortened 2020 season, Burks was a second-team all-conference selection after catching 51 passes for 820 yards and seven TD’s.
Burks had a huge junior year in 2021 with 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns. Burks also had six games with at least 100 receiving yards and was named first-team all-SEC.
Burks opted out of the Razorbacks’ bowl game to prepare for the NFL Draft.
MEASURABLES
Height: 6-2
Weight: 225
Bench press: N/A
40-yard dash: 4.55
Vertical jump: 33”
Broad jump: 10’2”
Arms: 33 1/2”
Hands: 9 7/8”
SCOUTING REPORT
Green Bay hasn’t had a big, strong, No. 1 wide receiver with measurables like Burks since Javon Walker nearly two decades ago.
Burks has the unique ability to use his large frame to shield defenders from the ball, making him an elite player on 50-50 balls. And once Burks has the ball in his hands, his run-after-the-catch skills are as good as any receiver in this draft.
Burks has outstanding hands and had a low drop rate at Arkansas. His route running needs plenty of work, though.
Burks’ ability to separate could be an issue in the NFL. At Arkansas, he found plenty of room to maneuver in the slot, but struggled at times gaining separation on the boundary.
Burks was extremely versatile in college and lined up in multiple spots, including the backfield. His ability to adjust to deep balls should make him a big-play threat. Just don’t expect him to run away from defenders. Instead, he’s likely to run over them.
PACKERS’ PREDICAMENT
Green Bay traded Pro Bowl wideout Davante Adams to Las Vegas last month and now has arguably the worst collection of receivers in football.
Allen Lazard was undrafted coming out of Iowa State due to a lack of explosiveness — something that certainly hasn’t changed. Randall Cobb, set to enter his 12th season, hasn’t played a full year since 2015. And Amari Rodgers was dreadful as a rookie in 2021.
That means the heat is on Packers general manager Brian Gutekunst to find two immediate contributors in this draft.
Green Bay might have to trade up into the top-20 to land Burks. But with four of the top-59 picks, Gutekunst certainly has the ammunition to do just that.
THEY SAID IT
ESPN’s Mel Kiper on Burks: “Burks has the kind of size to really give (Aaron) Rodgers a real red-zone threat, a guy that can go up there and high point the football and create mismatches against smaller corners. I think the Packers, in particular, come out of this draft with a minimum of two receivers and maybe three. Take advantage of the position that is strong in terms of slot guys, guys outside. That’s one of the strongest positions in this draft and it fits well for the Packers in terms of what they need. It’s a good year to need a receiver because there’s a lot of good ones out there.”
Burks on what sets him apart in this class of wide receivers: “I would say just my physicality, able to be used at multiple positions. I can play outside receiver, inside receiver and running back. It doesn’t matter. That sets me apart from everybody else.”
AFC executive told NFL.com: “He’s such a natural athlete for being so big, but that’s what we usually see from guys who play three sports in high school. They learn to move differently than football-only guys.”
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Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/robreischel/2022/04/05/treylon-burks-would-add-unique-talent-and-physicality-to-the-green-bay-packers-wide-receiver-room/