Jermaine Burton 2024 NFL Draft Profile
Rolling right along here with more 2024 NFL Draft content. Jermaine Burton is next up on the 2024 NFL Draft Profile series. Let’s talk about what you need to know when it comes to the Alabama wide receiver.
For starters, there is at least a baseline here to work with. Burton attended IMG Academy and then transferred back home to Calabasas to finish up his high school career. Former four star guy. The 6-foot, 196 receiver attended Georgia and then transferred to Alabama. SEC athlete at least gives you hope that he stack up athletically.
The raw numbers from the Combine are pretty good. Ran a 4.45 at the 40 and had really nice leaping numbers (38.5 vert, 11’1″ broad). Has really nice hands too. One of the most reliable pure hands catchers in the draft and that matters. He reels in pretty much every opportunity that he should.
To me, Burton is just a limited player. That’s the problem I have with him. There are things he can’t do and you better have the right plan in place. Burton is a pure deep threat. The Alabama product averaged 20.5 yards per catch. He only had 39 receptions the entire year. The Bama offense was designed like that for a reason. Nick Saban is a smart guy. Primarily, Burton was sent deep to take the top off. It’s what he does.
The issue is it’s not blazing speed. Good speed but not super freak. Spent two years at Georgia and was really just a guy. Never cracked through and made a big impact there. Would have never sniffed the field on some of those old Alabama wide receiver rooms. They were more desperate for WR talent this year. His best season was this past year with 39 receptions for 798 yards and eight touchdowns. Has a really nice touchdown efficiency but it’s mostly from winning deep balls. He never had a 800 yard season in college and the numbers never improved even when Bryce Young was there putting up big numbers.
What I saw at the Combine only confirmed what I saw during the year. By the way, I’ve been saying this with Burton since day one. That MFer the ball is mine quality. He doesn’t have it. Not going to win those battles at the NFL level. There was a strict plan in college with him for a reason. At the Combine, I thought he was really underwhelming in the short area movement skills. When he wins his deep routes, that’s when you’re going to be impressed (the Auburn game).
I would take Jermaine Burton in the 5th round. If I need some speed and a reliable plucker at the position, Burton is your guy. I just hope you know what you’re getting and the expectations are in line.
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