Jermaine Burton, WR Alabama: Offseason 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Jermaine Burton was a four-star recruit from Calabasas High School in Calabasas, Calif. in the class of 2020

The Alabama Crimson Tide had two wide receivers selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, including Ohio State transfer Jameson Williams. Nick Saban’s staff is hoping to hit gold with another transfer this year. Jermaine Burton, fresh off winning a National Championship with the Georgia Bulldogs, is hoping to have a career year with Bryce Young and company.

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Jermaine Burton, WR Alabama: 2023 NFL Draft Profile

Classification: Junior outside receiver from Calabasas, Calif.

Background: Burton was a four-star recruit from Calabasas High School in Calabasas, Calif. in the class of 2020. He was the No. 82 recruit according to 247Sports, No. 127 for Rivals, and No. 77 for On3.com. ESPN ranked him 99th in the nation with an 84 grade out of 100. As a high school junior, Burton totaled 40 receptions for 863 yards and 14 touchdowns. He produced 14 receptions for 332 yards and three touchdowns at IMG Academy as a sophomore and 15 receptions for 361 yards and two touchdowns at Hapeville Charter High School as a freshman. Burton was selected for the 2020 Under Armour All-America Game. He originally committed to the Miami Hurricanes before switching to the LSU Tigers. Burton changed his mind again, deciding to join the Georgia Bulldogs. He transferred from Georgia to Alabama in 2022. As a high schooler, he clocked a 4.43 40-yard dash.

2021 Production: 14 games, 26 receptions, 497 yards, 5 touchdowns

2020 Production: 10 games, 27 receptions, 404 yards, 3 touchdowns

Injuries & Off-Field: Hyperextended his knee in the 2021 offseason, missed one game in 2021

Awards: N/A

Pros: Experienced in the slot and out wide, offers alignment versatility, quick first step to challenge press coverage, sells double moves and fakes well, no drops in 2021, quarterback play has handcuffed him so far, very few manufactured touches in 2021, some suddenness to his game, capable of winning routes at all levels, smooth in and out of cuts, route running is sufficient, good linear speed

Cons: Limited contested catch opportunities, lacks special teams experience, struggles to land and sustain blocks, looks disinterested in making hard contact on blocks, bumps the defender and then gets out of the way as a blocker, didn’t challenge Clemson’s corners (2021), not a natural separator despite speed, looks uncomfortable making catches going to the ground, doesn’t break many tackles or generate much YAC, sideline awareness, not twitchy, Josh Jobe (2020) locked him down for most of the game, was ineffective on screens in 2020, lots of bobbled passes in 2020

Overview: Burton is unofficially listed at 6'0", 200 lbs. The rising junior battled subpar quarterback play with the Bulldogs, but he’s also failed to take full advantage of his opportunities. Burton struggles to adjust to low throws and he lacks the shiftiness and play strength to make defenders miss after the catch. He shows little to no effort as a blocker in the run game and hasn’t played special teams, which makes his floor one of the lowest among the wide receivers I’ve studied this offseason. While Burton has the speed to win deep in one-on-one situations (see Mississippi State in 2020), his linear speed doesn’t overwhelm defenses. With limited to no high-end tape against future NFL corners, Burton hasn’t proved he’s capable of consistently winning against elite competition. 

Overall, Burton lacks the skill sets commonly coveted in NFL wide receivers. He’s entering the season as Alabama’s most proven option at outside receiver and needs a transformational season with the Crimson Tide to become a legitimate prospect.

Role & Scheme Fit: Versatile receiver in an 11 personnel heavy scheme

Round Projection: Late Seventh to UDFA

Player Comparison: N/A

Submitted: 07-04-22