2022 NFL draft: Treylon Burks’ after-the-catch ability should intrigue Chargers

If the Chargers are seeking their own Deebo Samuel, Treylon Burks could be that guy.

This offseason, the Chargers could be looking to add to their wide receiver room. Regardless of the future of Mike Williams, who is set to be a free agent, the offense could strongly benefit from a true yards-after-the-catch weapon, and one that fits that mold is Arkansas’ Treylon Burks.

On a quick glance at his box score measurables, Burks may seem like an ordinary big-bodied target that enjoyed a fruitful college football career posting up smaller opponents, bullying his way to the catch point using his 6’3” and 225-pound frame, and coming down with the football with sturdy and combative hands.

That conclusion would have truth to it, but would only tell half the story.

Take the hippopotamus, for example. It’s undoubtedly a quirky animal, with its adorably round and tubby figure that gives the false impression in children’s coloring books as a harmless member of savanna wildlife. In reality, the hippo is one of the most dangerous animals in the world. They can run faster than humans despite their large size, are unpredictably irritable, and are known for their extreme aggressiveness when disturbed. 

Case in point: looks can be deceiving. That’s why even just a little investigation into the nature of Burks reveals a player that is defined by more than just his size.

A former four-star recruit and No. 1 rated player in the state of Arkansas, Burks stayed close to home and provided an instant impact as a three-year starter for the Razorbacks. In that time period, Burks racked up 147 catches for 2,418 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns. He finished his junior season as a First Team All-SEC honoree and opted out of the Outback Bowl to start preparations for the 2022 NFL Draft, where he is an early favorite to be a first-round selection.

For a player of his size, Burks is a player that oozes athleticism and plays the position loosely with no restrictions. He is quick to change directions, whether he’s churning through the breaks in his route or dicing up the open field as a runner with the ball in his hands. Combining that lower-body flexibility with his other hulking attributes, Burks is essentially a mobile wrecking ball competent enough to match any type of defender he faces.

He matched Alabama’s defense well enough last season. Burks matched up one-on-one outside running a back-shoulder fade, worked back to the football, and made a quick transition from pass-catcher to a ball carrier. You can see Burks comfortably reel in the football and immediately look upfield to plan his path after the catch. That quick decision-making allowed Burks to shoot up the middle and outrun Alabama’s entire secondary for a 66-yard touchdown.

The foundation of Burks’ game is catching the football, like every player that suits up at the receiver position. But the catch point is also his bread and butter, a trait that consistently flashed on tape as a definite strength. Burks is great at positioning his body to go up strong in contested catch situations. He consistently highpoints the ball over the reach of defensive backs in coverage and squeezes it tightly between his gigantic mitts on his return to earth. His ability to routinely snag balls in traffic through tight throwing windows separates him from the rest of his class in that area.

Burks does not run the most glamorous route tree nor is he the most refined artist in his approach to his craft, but he is far from simply a receiver that can only succeed jumping for balls on fade routes. Burks can stretch defenders vertically and win using a variety of methods, all culminating in a dominating presence when the ball is put up in the air and headed his way. 

Against Auburn, Burks got a step on the slot cornerback on his post route and boxed him out on the goal line for a ridiculous airborne snatch to give Arkansas the lead in the third quarter.

Arkansas knew how much of a mismatch Burks was both athletically and physically, so the program was no stranger to maximizing his talents wherever he was needed. Burks became fluent in all three wide receiver positions, becoming the go-to weapon for any scenario. Burks was effective on screens and slants, triumphed often as a deep threat, and even lined up in the backfield to begin plays or lent his talents as the Wildcat quarterback. 

The variety of looks caused defenses to adjust their coverages, which the Razorbacks countered with their pre-snap diagnostics.

In this example against Texas A&M in 2020, Burks begins the play in a split-back formation to the right of the quarterback. With the safeties still in their two-high alignment and both outside cornerbacks occupied, Arkansas anticipated a Cover 4 look from the Aggies. The play they drew up perfectly attacked the coverage before them.

Burks and the running back flew to the right side of the field, while the receiver cleared out the cornerback. That left the strongside linebacker with flat responsibility in a bind. He moved to cover the running back, and Burks was left free to complete his out route between the levels of the defense for the simple chain-moving reception.

Further complicating matters for opponents was the maddening fact that Burks was deployed primarily from the slot. He could easily overpower nickel cornerbacks but also use his quickness to gain separation from safeties and linebackers. Defenses had to constantly monitor where he was and inevitably it would fester a headache that would spurn mistakes.

During this 2020 rep versus Georgia, Burks motioned to the opposite slot and prompted the safety to drop down from his position in the two-high to ensure the short area of the field was covered. Burks backed the safety down as he ate up the cushion and slashed through the contact as he broke toward the free pocket of real estate on the left side. From there, Burks turned upfield and broke a tackle from the same safety as he rumbled into the end zone.

Burks still has strides to make as a route runner. He is hardly dynamic or sharp through his cuts, which can limit his separation. His touches were largely produced on a group of select plays, so Burks will need to gain more nuance if he wants to transform into a true outside threat in the NFL. His attitude suffers at points when missed opportunities arise or he isn’t seeing the ball.

Overall, Burks brings a lot to the table and many translatable traits that can benefit an NFL offense that values creativity and multiskilled playmakers. Burks is an exciting wide receiver prospect that should be in consideration for the Chargers’ first-round pick.