2011 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Kendric Burney, UNC

Kendric Burney– CB- North Carolina

5-9 180lbs Senior

Stats:

2007- 50 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 4 pass breakups

2008- 78 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 3 INTs, 5 pass breakups

2009- 52 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, 5 INTs, 3 pass breakups

Pros:

Kendric Burney is just another member of the extremely talented North Carolina defense.  Burney boasts rare speed which allows him to get himself into good position to make a play on the ball.  Attached with this great overall speed is his close range burst which allows him to close on the receiver once the ball is in the air.  The speed almost guarantees that Burney is never completely beaten because he is able to recover when out of position.  He excels in zone coverages where he is able to use his quick burst to cover those that enter his zone.  NFL scouts are also going to key in on his good hands because he is always a threat to get the interception.

Cons:

The biggest concern with Burney is his lack of size, at 5-9 180lbs he is going to have a difficult time matching up against bigger wide outs.  He is going to be out muscled for jump balls and will struggle jamming receivers at the line of scrimmage.  The size issue may be the biggest liability in the Red Zone where teams often like to throw jump balls.  While Burney has good instincts he continues to work on his route recognition.  As these skills better develop he will continue to improve.  His limited size means that he can be take out of running plays if you watch the attached youtube video you will see Burney missing several open field tackles.  However, he isn’t afraid to attack.

Thoughts:

I think that Burney has the speed and skills to overcome his size concerns but he is going to have to show he can handle taller wide outs.  He is going to get plenty of chances this season playing the likes of Terrence Toliver of LSU.

Projected Round:

The size concerns will drop Burney’s stock to about the 3^rd or 4^th round.