Morgan Burns might be one of the more intriguing athletes in the 2016 NFL draft. Does his scouting report make him draftable?
Position: CB
School: Kansas State
Year: Senior
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 201 lbs
History:
Was a two-sport star in high school and a track state champion. Played defensive back and running back. Became an instant hit on special teams and kept that reputation alive throughout his time at Kansas State during which he scored a record four kickoff return touchdowns. Also known for his ability to block punts.
STRENGTHS:
- Speed and agility to spare. Has the athletic capability to hang with receivers down the field.
- Has the vision and awareness to anticipate what is going to happen.
- A dynamic return man, boasting a running back build that allows him to shrug off tacklers.
- Tough enough to handle contact, indicating he might make a good offensive weapon for a creative coordinator.
WEAKNESSES:
- Stiffness in his lower body that leads to problems changing direction and flipping his hips.
- Though utterly reliable on special teams, his shorter frame makes him a liability on defense, especially when tackling.
- Not a natural going backwards in space. Can get lost at times.
- Lacks explosion, which makes him an instant target for bigger receivers.
Pro Comparison: Devin Hester
He’s not the athlete Hester was, but Burns is very much the same kind of player: an undersized defensive back who doesn’t have the feel for defense but is a gifted return man who may have a future on offense at either running back or receiver thanks to his speed and vision.
Projection: 6th round to UDFA
Sometimes quality players can be found in the later rounds not because of what they can do at their current positions but what they might be able to do when shifted to others. Morgan Burns doesn’t have a future on defense, but his outstanding return ability will get him noticed and he could become a viable offensive weapon if he puts in the work and is under a coach willing to experiment.