ESPN’s Todd McShay found his favorite fit for the New England Patriots at the back end of the first round in the 2022 NFL draft. McShay has matched Arkansas receiver Treylon Burks with the Patriots in his mock draft. The Patriots took Burks at 31st overall.
The 6-foot-3 receiver had 66 catches for 1,104 yards and 11 touchdowns with the Razorbacks in 2021. It was his most productive year, with the receiver progressively improving his stats over his three years at Arkansas. In 2020, he had 51 catches for 820 yards and seven touchdowns. He had 29 catches for 475 yards and no touchdowns in 2019. He has also contributed in the running game, with 38 carries for 222 yards and a touchdown during his three-year college career.
“Burks to the Patriots would make it six receivers in the first round. According to ESPN Stats & Information, we’ve seen back-to-back drafts with at least five first-round WRs four times (2000-01, 2004-05, 2014-15, 2020-21), but we’ve never had three straight occasions. While this class doesn’t match 2021’s group in elite talent, it certainly has depth.
“New England signed Nelson Agholor and Kendrick Bourne in free agency this year, but it’s hard to find a true No. 1 receiver on this roster. To help quarterback Mac Jones continue the impressive start to his career, the Pats should give him a big target outside who can come down with anything. That’s Burks, who is 6-foot-3 and can adjust to off-target throws and pluck them out of the air. He isn’t a burner, but he is a savvy route runner with 11 touchdown catches this season.”
Burks is a significantly different style of player than most of the players on the roster. He compares most to N’Keal Harry — or even tight end Jonnu Smith.
Burks has deceptive speed for his size and can separate from defensive backs, but the Razorbacks had to manufacture too many of his touches. In an offense that already has too many mouths to feed, it’s hard to imagine the Patriots drafting a player who wouldn’t earn his touches with a diverse route tree. Burks would have to demonstrate that ability in the pros at a level that he didn’t show in college. That makes him a somewhat risky projection for the Patriots’ offense, even with all his physical tools.
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