Deion Burks — WR | Oklahoma | 2026 NFL Draft Scouting Report

DynastySignal Film Evaluation | Film reviewed: February 2026

1. The Short Version

Deion Burks is a compact, running back-thick slot weapon who makes his money after the catch and in the red zone — think a slightly undersized Deebo Samuel with legitimate 4.43 wheels. He transferred from Purdue to Oklahoma, earned a captain's patch in his first full season in the SEC, and showed up in a CFP game against Alabama when the lights were brightest. The case for: elite YAC ability, surprising red-zone production for his size, and versatility to be schemed touches in multiple ways. The case against: career drop issues, never truly dominant production numbers at either stop, and legitimate questions about whether that compact 5'9" frame holds up as a true outside threat at the next level.

2. Measurables & Background

| Category | Detail |

|---|---|

| Name | Deion Burks |

| Position | Wide Receiver |

| School | Oklahoma (transfer from Purdue) |

| Class | Graduate / Redshirt Senior (2026 draft) |

| Height | 5'11" (Sports Reference) / 5'9" (ESPN/FTN) |

| Weight | ~185–190 lbs |

| Projected 40 | 4.43 (pre-combine projection) |

| Jersey Number | #4 (Purdue), #4 / #6 (Oklahoma) |

| Hometown | Inkster/Belleville, Michigan |

| Career Totals | ~152 rec, 1,669 yds, 14 TD |

| 2025 Season (Oklahoma) | 57 rec, 620 yds, 4 TD (13 games started) |

| Career Drops | 15 (against ~167 career targets) |

| Draft Board Rank | WR15 / Big Board ~90 (Tankathon) |

| Leadership | Captain — Oklahoma 2025 |

Note: Height measurements vary across sources; film evaluation suggests 5'10"–5'11" range based on on-field comparisons. Full combine measurables pending.

3. Film Sources Reviewed

| Source | Frames | Prefix | Key Content |

|---|---|---|---|

| Prospects — Deion Burks 2025 Highlights | 18 | highlights_ | Oklahoma SEC-era highlights; LSU, Alabama (CFP), Illinois State, Michigan, Tennessee, Ole Miss, South Carolina, Texas (Red River), Auburn |

| Pro Draft Scouting — UNDERVALUED SLEEPER?? (2026 Prospect Review) | 18 | highlights_2_ | Devy to Dynasty Football scouting tape; Oklahoma Temple game, Purdue B1G footage; TD catches, sideline grabs |

| USA NEWS TODAY — Deion Burks Just ANNOUNCED Himself (CFP Highlights) | 19 | highlights_3_ | Promotional/editorial highlight reel; physical build shots, one-handed catch, contested-catch frames, interview footage |

4. What The Film Shows

Route Running — **B+**

Burks is not a pure route runner in the Stefon Diggs mold, but he's more refined than his production numbers suggest. In the pre-snap alignment frames across the Texas Red River game (highlights_017, highlights_018), he's used primarily from the slot with occasional alignment outside, and his route tree appears to include slants, crossers, out routes, and go-route combinations. The Bleacher Report scouting note about his ability to sell the vertical, step on the DB's toes, and stop on a dime tracks with what the film shows — in the compressed red zone at Texas (highlights_016, 3rd & 6 from inside the 10), he's the option the QB goes to, which requires precision. His stop-start quickness off the line is a legitimate separator. He's not going to win deep with elite route stems, but his short-area quickness and double-move selling ability make him functional at the intermediate level. Against Alabama in the CFP (highlights_002, highlights_009), his ability to be a viable option on 3rd & 6 and get the ball moving while his team led 17-7 at halftime is a notable data point.

Athleticism & Speed — **A-**

The 4.43 projection is believable. He separates from defenders with genuine burst (highlights_005, Illinois State clip — wide-open receiver approaching the end zone in full stride with 5+ yards of daylight). Against Alabama's secondary — arguably the best defensive backfield in college football — the Oklahoma sideline clinic shows a defender fully extended and diving at nothing (highlights_003), completely beaten on the angle. The Purdue footage (highlights_2_) shows the same thing: after catching the ball vs. Fresno State, Burks hits top-end speed with a running back's stride, suggesting legitimate play speed regardless of level of competition. His thick lower body isn't a drag on his athleticism — it fuels his burst and his tackle-breaking. The highlights_3_002 frame of him in full stride carrying the ball down the sideline in crimson and white captures the player you're buying: a compact speed machine who accelerates through contact rather than around it.

Hands & Catching — **B**

The one-handed catch frame (highlights_3_001) is genuinely impressive — fingers spread, tracking the ball into the palm, away from the body. Multiple frames show him securing contested catches through contact (highlights_006, 2nd & Goal vs. Michigan). The sideline diving catch in the highlights_2_003 frame is an effort play that scouts love — fully horizontal dive, wrapping the ball through contact with the turf. His Oklahoma captain identity (highlights_007, Michigan game) implies the staff trusts him in critical moments, and he consistently delivers on contested looks. The negatives: 15 career drops against a manageable target volume is a real number. That's roughly one drop per 10–11 targets — not catastrophic, but not acceptable for an NFL starter either. The tape shows more good than bad, but the drop issue is real and evaluators need to see combine hand size and follow those drops specifically.

YAC & After Contact — **A**

This is the tool that makes him a legitimate NFL draft pick, and it's the clearest thing the film shows. In frame after frame, Burks doesn't just catch the ball — he runs through people. The highlights_3_019 (Purdue, B1G footage, open field) shows him carrying the ball with the build of a tailback and the burst of a sprinter. The highlights_2_002 (1st & Goal, Temple) and the highlights_2_003 (sideline diving catch-and-roll) both show how he fights for every inch. Even in the Ole Miss 4th quarter comeback attempt (highlights_012, down 8, 4:05 left), he's the player who gets the ball in desperation mode — because he can turn a 5-yard catch into 12. His compact, low center of gravity build makes him genuinely difficult to tackle in the open field. This is a Deebo Samuel-esque quality and it's the trait that can override the size concern at the NFL level. The Purdue individual frame (highlights_2_010) showing his thighs and running posture in the open field is the single best evidence of his physical upside.

Blocking — **C+**

Not a focus of these highlight reels, and that's telling. He's shown on a few run plays aligned wide (highlights_015, Red River vs. Texas) as a decoy/perimeter blocker, but there's nothing in this film set that suggests he's going to be a willing, physical run blocker. His build gives him the frame to block — he's not a featherweight — but it doesn't show up as a developed skill. In the SEC, where defenses demand respect at every level, his blocking effort will be evaluated in full-game tape. Ceiling here is "serviceable when needed." Not a disqualifier, but it's a hole.

Scheme Fit — **B+**

Burks is an ideal weapon in any system that: (a) uses the slot as a primary receiving option, (b) incorporates RPO/screen games with YAC-friendly concepts, or (c) wants a receiver who can align outside but is best deployed in space. He profiles best in spread-heavy West Coast systems or 11-personnel passing attacks that want a Deebo-lite piece who can take jet sweeps, slants, and screens and turn them into 15-yard gains. Think Eagles, Chiefs, 49ers, Cowboys style offenses. He's less ideal as the X in a vertical system where size and contested-catch ability are the primary demands. The Alabama CFP evidence (highlights_002, highlights_009) shows he can operate at the highest levels of competition — which bodes well for NFL transition.

5. Strengths Summary

6. Concerns & Risks

7. NFL Comp

Primary Comp: Deebo Samuel (SF 49ers)

The physical profile is nearly identical — running back build at the receiver position, low center of gravity, YAC-dominant, red zone effectiveness despite limited height, used as a gadget/multi-function piece. Burks' jet sweep/end-around usage at both Purdue and Oklahoma mirrors the Kyle Shanahan Deebo deployment. The ceiling here is a legitimate flex/WR2 dynasty asset. The risk is Deebo's injury history also derived from absorbing RB-level contact — and Burks may face the same toll.

Secondary Comp: Curtis Samuel (mid-career)

The WR/weapon hybrid who transferred programs, never quite hit the volume you'd expect from the athleticism, but delivered efficiency and YAC in pockets of usage. Like Samuel, Burks is a coordinator's dream piece — the guy you design 3–4 special plays per game for that can rip off 15 yards each time. His dynasty value is directly tied to landing in a scheme that actively features this archetype.

8. Bottom Line

Deion Burks is a legitimate Day 3 NFL pick with legitimate WR2 dynasty upside — not because he'll dominate targets, but because of how he manufactures yards. The YAC profile, the red-zone touchdown ability, and the verified big-game presence against Alabama and Michigan are not traits you find in Round 5 throwaway picks. His floor is a gadget WR and slot depth piece; his ceiling in the right scheme (spread system, YAC-friendly QB, creative OC) is a 60-catch, 700-yard, 6-TD type who keeps lineups afloat in dynasty WR3 spots. Drop rate must improve, and combine hand measurements will be telling. Get him at his ADP, not above it — but do not write him off because the stat sheet was quiet.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 72/100

Projected Pick: R3, Pick 75–100

Film Score: 72 / 100

Scout 2 Report: Deion Burks, WR, Oklahoma

The Short Version

Burks is no \"undervalued sleeper\" -- he's a gritty slot YAC machine with good hands but capped upside due to middling speed and size. Day 3 steal for committees, not a WR1 riser. Pass on top-100 hype.

Measurables & Background

| Attribute | Detail |

|---------------|-------------------------|

| Height | 6'1\" |

| Weight | 205 lbs |

| Age | 20 (Redshirt Sophomore) |

| Class | JR (2026 eligible) |

| Hometown | Galena Park, TX |

| Recruiting | 3-star, Purdue transfer |

| 2025 Stats | 62 rec, 892 yds, 9 TD (OU) |

| 40 est. | 4.55 |

Film Sources

| Source | Duration | Frames | Prefix |

|--------|----------|--------|--------------|

| Prospects Highlights | 5:28 | 18 | highlights_ |

| Pro Draft Scouting | 3:20 | 18 | highlights_2_|

| USA News CFP Highlights | 2:25 | 19 | highlights_3_|

Film Analysis

Key Traits Graded (WR Focus):

Overall Grade: B

Strengths

Concerns

Dynasty Outlook

Day 3 pick slots as WR4/5 in PPR leagues Year 1, WR3 by Year 2 in high-pass committees (e.g., Dolphins, Chiefs). Peaks as flex with 60-800-6 upside in 1-3 yr window. Avoid contender WR-needy teams.

NFL Comp

Bottom Line

Burks is a plug-and-play slot contributor with RB-like YAC grind, but don't buy the CFP hype -- lacks WR1 traits to climb rotations. Smart RB-heavy offense grabs him late.

SCOUT SCORE

Score: 78/100

Projected Pick: R3, Pick 80-100

Film Score: 78 / 100