To close out their 2026 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts selected Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks with the 254th overall pick.
Relative to the consensus big board, Burks was one of the best value picks in the entire draft. The Colts picked Burks at 254th overall, but on the consensus big board, he was the 96th-ranked player.
Many, even including GM Chris Ballard, didn’t expect Burks to be available at that point in the draft.
Although a bit undersized at 5-09 and 186 pounds, the Colts believe that Burks can continue to play both inside and out at the NFL level, with his play strength translating well to the jump in competition. Indianapolis is also bullish about the playmaking potential Burks adds to the offense.
For more on Burks, here are what a few draft analysts had to say.
Dane Brugler, The Athletic
“Burks threatens the defense, vertically and horizontally, with field-stretching speed. He uses sudden footwork both at the line and in and out of breaks to leave defenders off-balance, and he looks natural catching the football. Though he has the juice and contact balance to be a big-play creator, he wasn’t used as a downfield threat — he ranked 152nd in the FBS last season with just nine catches of 20-plus yards.”
Lance Zierlien, NFL.com
“Fifth-year slot receiver who is savvy against zone coverage and crafty after making a catch. Burks does a good job of utilizing his straight-line speed when the ball is in his hands. He struggles to win on vertical routes, though. He creates windows underneath by crisply breaking off short routes. He’s a compact, short-armed target who secures catches through contact. However, his production left something to be desired during his time at Purdue and Oklahoma. Comebacks and curls are often swallowed. Coaching and route work could lead to improvement in those areas. Burks lacks standout measurables, but better quarterback play could unlock a more productive player.”
Todd McShay, The Ringer
“His ball skills have improved significantly, as he’s cut down on drops and shown impressive body control at full speed. He tracks the ball well, excels along the sideline, and catches cleanly in stride. Despite a smaller catch radius, he competes in contested situations and shows toughness working over the middle. After the catch, Burks is more of a burst-and-go threat than a make-you-miss creator, but his acceleration and transition quickness make him dangerous in space, with better contact balance than his build suggests. “As a blocker, his effort is adequate, but his effectiveness is limited.”
Although not many seventh-round picks get the chance to compete for meaningful playing time, Burks could find himself in the mix for the WR3 role with Ashton Dulin and Nick Westbrook-Ikhine.
This article originally appeared on Colts Wire: What draft experts said about new Colts WR Deion Burks in scouting reports
Reporting by Paul Bretl, Colts Wire / Colts Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
