Denzel Burke CB Ohio State | NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
Denzel Burke CB Ohio State
NFL Draft Profile & Scouting Report
| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Draft Year: 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Age: 22.1 DOB: 11/10/2002 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| ROLE: Outside Man/Press CB | |
| Last Updated: 09/26/2024 | |
| Draft Year: 2025 | |
| 40 time: 4.50 seconds (48%*) | |
| Age: 22.1 DOB: 11/10/2002 | |
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| Overall Rating: | 85.3 / 100 | |
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| Average rating of opposition Offense player has faced | ||
| Offense Rating: |
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81% |
| Click the links below to view how player ranks vs other prospects. | ||
| QB Rating When targeted: | 90.7 | |
| Tackling: |
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81% |
| Run Defense: |
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81% |
| Coverage: |
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82% |
| Zone: |
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72% |
| Man/Press: |
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84% |
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DRAFT PROJECTION:
2nd - Late
Overall Rank:
#64
Position rank:
#12
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| College Games: 46 College Snaps: 2386 | ||
ESPN RATING: 81/100
College Combine Results
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247 RATING: 91/100
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RIVALS RATING: 5.9 (97%)
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| Player Comparison* (Similarity level) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Shaun Wade - Ohio State |
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92% |
| Cam Smith - South Carolina |
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89% |
| Riley Moss - Iowa |
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85% |
Draft Profile: Bio
Denzel Burke, originally from Phoenix, AZ, attended Brophy College Prep before transferring to Saguaro High School in Scottsdale. As a 4-star recruit, he showcased his skills on both sides of the ball, playing cornerback and wide receiver. Despite a season-ending shoulder injury in his senior year, Burke's high school performance secured his place at Ohio State.
At Ohio State, Burke immediately impacted as a true freshman, becoming the first to start on defense since 1996. In 2021, he recorded 31 tackles, 9 pass breakups, and an interception over 13 games. His sophomore year saw him play in 10 games, making 27 tackles and 5 pass breakups. During his junior year, Burke played 10 games, adding 18 tackles, 7 pass breakups, and another interception to his stats.
Burke's college career was marked by numerous accolades. He earned Freshman All-American honors in 2021, third-team All-Big Ten in the same year, and first-team All-Big Ten in 2023. With 71 total tackles, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, and 26 pass breakups over his three seasons, Burke established himself as a key player in the Ohio State secondary, readying himself for the next step in his football career.
Scouting Report: Strengths
- Shows excellent ball skills, capable of high-pointing and disrupting passes with good timing and hand coordination.
- Possesses a smooth backpedal with quick feet, allowing for rapid transitions and effective mirroring of receivers.
- Demonstrates great quickness and burst when closing on ball carriers and in coverage situations.
- Fluid hips and good lateral movement enable him to stay with receivers through their routes effectively.
- Displays strong play recognition and awareness in both run and pass situations, contributing to overall defensive support.
- Effective in press coverage, using length and physicality to disrupt routes early.
- Combines length, speed, and agility, making him versatile in both man and zone coverages.
- Brings a competitive edge and willingness to support in run defense, showcasing physicality despite not being the most dynamic tackler.
Scouting Report: Weaknesses
- Long speed, while decent is not elite. He will struggle against the speedier pro receivers - especially in deep man coverage
- Needs to improve footwork to avoid getting sloppy in transitions and closing on the ball.
- Occasionally overextends and grabs, risking penalties in tight coverage situations.
- Lacks elite hip fluidity, which can hinder recovery against quicker, more agile receivers.
- Struggles with securing tackles consistently, often opting for less reliable methods.
- Not overly physical in tackles, needing to add strength to enhance physicality at the next level.
Scouting Report: Summary
Denzel Burke's blend of length, size, and ball skills positions him as a strong prospect for the NFL Draft. His ability to mirror routes and disrupt passes at the catch point makes him a valuable asset in both man and zone coverage. With 71 tackles, 26 pass breakups, and two interceptions, his college production speaks volumes about his playmaking ability.
Despite his strengths, Burke needs to refine certain aspects of his game. His tackling consistency and physicality are areas of concern, as he tends to rely more on his length than strength. Additionally, his footwork can become inconsistent, leading to vulnerabilities in coverage. Addressing these issues will be key to his success at the next level.
In the NFL, Burke projects as an outside cornerback with the ability to excel in most defensive schemes. His upside in man coverage, combined with his zone awareness, makes him a versatile defender. With continued development in his tackling and footwork, Burke has the potential to become a very good pro starter.
Written By:
K.C. Martinez (Big Ten)
Denzel Burke percentiles vs other Cornerbacks (NFL Combine historically - higher value represents better perfomance)
How other scouting services rate Denzel Burke (Overall Rank)
*Similarity Percentage: This percentage is calculated based on a comprehensive analysis of various factors, including height, weight, 40-yard dash times, on-field performance statistics, and overall player rating. The analysis is conducted against our database of draft prospects from 2021 to 2023. This similarity score helps in evaluating how closely a current prospect aligns with past prospects. It is important to note, however, that this score reflects similarities based on college production and attributes, and does not account for eventual success or performance in the NFL.