Fantasy Football Dynasty

Dynasty Prospect Scouting Report: Treylon Burks

By Jared Smola 9:19pm EST 3/8/22

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Treylon Burks, WR, Arkansas

Height: 6’2

Weight: 225

Age: 21.9

Combine Results:

40-yard dash: 4.55 seconds (37th percentile)

Vertical: 33” (20th)

Broad: 10’2” (59th)

3-cone: 7.28 seconds (8th)

Short shuttle: DNP

College career:

Burks hit the recruiting trail as a 4-star prospect according to most scouting services. ESPN had him as the #11 WR in his class. Burks ultimately chose Arkansas over offers from LSU, Auburn, Florida State and Michigan, among others.

He made an immediate impact as a true freshman for the Razorbacks, leading that 2019 squad in receiving yards (20.5% share). Per Pro Football Focus, Burks lined up in the slot for 85% of his snaps that season. He also contributed on special teams, averaging 10.8 yards on 12 punt returns and 22.6 yards on 10 kick returns.

Burks paced Arkansas in all major receiving categories as a sophomore, despite missing 1 game and most of another with a knee injury. In his 8 healthy games, he accounted for 35.5% of the team’s catches, 43.3% of the receiving yards and 50% of the receiving TDs. Huge market shares. Burks’ 91.1 receiving yards per game ranked 3rd in the SEC.

Burks again played primarily on the inside in 2020, running 80.7% of his routes from the slot. He was more efficient there, averaging 3.32 yards per route run vs. just 2.02 from the outside. His cumulative 3.07 yards per route run ranked 16th among 120 WRs with 50+ targets. Burks finished 7th among those 120 in PFF’s receiving grades.

Burks returned just 1 punt and 0 kickoffs as a sophomore but did add 75 yards on 15 carries.

He played in 12 of 13 games this past year, opting out of the Outback Bowl, and easily led Arkansas in all major receiving categories. In his 12 games, Burks soaked up 34.6% of the receptions, 41.1% of the receiving yards and 50% of the receiving scores. He also carried 14 times for 112 yards and a TD.

Burks improved his PFF receiving grade in 2021 to rank 4th among 198 qualifiers. His 3.57 yards per route run was 3rd best among those 198.

Burks remained Arkansas’ primary slot receiver this past year but did run a career-high 32.1% of his routes from the outside. And, unlike the previous season, Burks was more efficient from the outside, averaging a huge 5.6 yards per route run vs. 2.61 in the slot.

Film study:

Courtesy of FF Astronauts

Games watched - Georgia (2020), Missouri (2020), Texas A&M, Auburn, Alabama

There are 2 clear strengths to Burks’ game: after-catch skills and downfield ability.

Let’s start with what he brings to the table with the ball in his hands. Burks is a thickly built 6’2, 225-pounder. So, not surprisingly, he’s a tough tackle.

But he also possesses more burst and speed than you might expect from a man of his size. He consistently beats defenders’ angles and rarely gets caught from behind.

He even flashes some make-you-miss ability.

Burks also has the size, body control and catch radius to do damage in the deep passing game.

He’s clearly comfortable making plays in tight coverage.

And, although he spent most of his time at Arkansas in the slot, he looked comfortable and capable winning from the outside.

What you don’t see much of on Burks’ tape is the ability to create separation on short and intermediate routes. He doesn’t seem explosive enough out of his breaks, allowing defenders to stay in his hip pocket.

Fantasy potential:

Burks’ tape isn’t flawless. He’s not a great separator on short and intermediate routes. And an 8th-percentile 3-cone time suggests that he might not have the ability to develop in that facet.

But Burks’ after-catch and downfield skills are good bets to translate to the next level. He might just need a coaching staff willing to scheme him the ball. That’s likely to happen considering he’s a near lock to be a 1st-round pick in the NFL Draft. He might even add fantasy value with rushing production, like he did at Arkansas.

And beyond the tape, Burks checks every other box:

• Size
• Athleticism (63rd percentile Relative Athletic Score)
• Sophomore-season breakout
• Big career market shares
• Strong efficiency
• Early declare

Burks is worth considering once you hit the double-digit rounds of early best-ball drafts and looks like a likely top-6 pick in dynasty rookie drafts.