2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deion Burks (WR – Oklahoma)

FantasyPros will be taking a look at early NFL Draft scouting reports before the Combine in February. Here’s a look at Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks.

2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Deion Burks

Deion Burks (WR – Oklahoma)

5-foot-9 | 188 Pounds

Background

Deion Burks was a three-star recruit who originally attended Purdue, where he spent the first three seasons of his collegiate career. Redshirted in 2021 after catching one pass, then rotated in a little bit the next year (15 catches) before taking over as one of the team’s starters, recording a line of 47-629-7 (13.4) in 2023.

Transferred to Oklahoma and caught 31-238-3 (7.7) in 2024, mostly from the slot, then became more of an outside receiver this past season, posting a 58-617-4 (10.6) line.

Positives

Was able to put together pretty productive seasons for two different programs, primarily on the outside. Runs routes to different levels of the field; a lot of screens, hitches and in-breaking routes underneath, with hole shots/deep fades from the outside as well. Has impressive speed and acceleration off the line of scrimmage to eat up cushions; functioned as a legitimate deep threat within the Sooners’ offense at times, creating room for him to operate underneath.

Suddenness and tempo changes at the stem allow Burks to create windows against off-man coverage. Doesn’t need to gear down through the route stem when working underneath the coverage shell. Settles into soft spots against zone coverage. Looks scrappy/competitive as a hand-fighter when working against physical opponents.

Burks shows good awareness and body control near the sidelines. Dynamic with the ball in his hands, showing good vision, speed and agility to weave through congestion and occasionally make defenders miss. Oklahoma tried to scheme him touches and give him room to work on screens, sweeps, etc. More physical after the catch than his size suggests.

Negatives

Size is definitely on the small side for an outside receiver, but Burks has played better there than in the slot. Became more efficient this year, but only caught half of his career targets at Purdue. Has been more reliable since transferring to Oklahoma, but has 15 career drops against 152 career catches. Doesn’t provide the biggest radius for his quarterback.

Because of his small frame, struggles to box out defenders and shield them from the football, and isn’t the most effective target on contested catches. Shows some feistiness as a blocker, but struggles to sustain and can sometimes turn into a spectator before the play is over. Returned kicks in 2022, but has no career punt returns to his name.

Summary

An interesting evaluation in that his physical/athletic profile is more that of a slot receiver and punt returner, but he played primarily on the outside and has no in-game experience returning punts.

While Burks hasn’t been the most consistent or efficient receiver throughout his career, his dynamism pops on tape, with an impressive combination of speed, acceleration and suddenness as a route runner, plus some dangerous run-after-catch skills. Looks like a mid-round candidate who will likely be sliding inside at the next level.

Projection: Round 4/Round 5