Day 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft is off and running, but multiple big-name prospects have yet to hear their names called. Colorado quarterback Shedeur Sanders headlines that group, but another notable name is Ohio State cornerback Denzel Burke.
He was PFSN’s Ian Cummings’ No. 9 cornerback in this year’s class, but has not been selected yet. Let’s examine why Burke has fallen so far.
What Has Made Denzel Burke Fall Into Day 3?
Burke valuted onto draft boards after a huge freshman season, and culminated his college career with a National Championship. Cummings wrote, “Denzel Burke announced his introduction to the CFB stage with a dramatic 12-PBU freshman campaign in 2021, and effectively reserved space in the early-round NFL Draft conversation for the years to come. Injuries would play a hand in Burke’s NFL ascent being delayed, and his trajectory being stalled.
“But Burke still has appeal as a scheme-versatile CB prospect in the Day 2 or early Day 3 range. At 5’11”, 186 pounds, with around 31 3/8″ arms, he has decent size and length, but the brunt of his physical appeal comes from his explosiveness as a click-and-closer and his recalibration quickness in press-man and off-man.”
Burke’s freshman year was amazing, but his dip in production is a valid reason for falling in the draft. He totaled 37 tackles, an interception, and 12 pass breakups. However, his highest PBU total over the next three seasons was nine. With Ohio State playing 16 games in 2024, Burke’s numbers jumped to 48 tackles and two interceptions, but he only had two pass breakups.
Another knock on Burke is his size. His length is better than his height, but Burke lacks exceptional traits to compensate.
Cummings continued, “Burke may never become a high-end NFL starter without quantifiably elite traits, but he has the quickness and physicality to play man coverage, and he can vary his footwork and technique in zone and off-man. Ultimately, he’s a high-floor player with turnover potential.”
Teams aren’t looking for draft picks who will immediately start once the draft reaches Day 3. Burke’s dipping production and average size are the key factors for his fall, but 16 corners going before the Ohio State product is a lot.
Cummings had Burke as his No. 9 cornerback, and all but one other in his top 10 have been drafted. Iowa State’s Darien Porter was Cummings’ No. 8-ranked cornerback. Burke will have a sizeable chip on his shoulder once he finds an NFL landing spot, but will have to ball out to make an opening day roster.
