Get ready for the 2025 NFL Draft with our spotlight on Denzel Burke. Get the breakdown on his strengths and weaknesses in our scouting report, understand his potential with our draft profile, and see where experts predict he’ll land.
Denzel Burke’s NFL Draft Scouting Report
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.
A former WR, Burke has ideal ball skills and competitiveness at the catch, as well as desirable physicality in support. He’s not elite in any area, and his consistency may suffer at times as a result, but he’s well-rounded enough to have a productive career if he can stay healthy.
Looking for more analysis on prospects? Here’s our cornerback scouting reports for the 2025 NFL Draft and all other positions.
Denzel Burke’s Latest NFL Draft Projection
PFSN’s Ian Cummings projected that Burke would be picked No. 166 overall by the Cleveland Browns in his latest seven-round mock draft.
Cummings said, “Dipping into the Ohio State CB well as they’ve done before, the Cleveland Browns add a former WR with quality coverage versatility and run support chops in Denzel Burke.”
Ready to have some fun? Jump into our free NFL Mock Draft Simulator and follow along during the NFL Draft. The simulator will be updated in real-time, allowing you to finish the rest of the draft based on the results.
Denzel Burke’s NFL Draft Profile and Measurements
- Height: 6’0″
- Weight: 189 pounds
- Position: Cornerback
- School: Ohio State
- Arm: 3138
- Wingspan: 7718
Where Does Denzel Burke Rank Among 2025’s CB Prospects?
Here are the top 10 CB rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft, according to PFSN Draft Analyst Ian Cummings.
10. Maxwell Hairston, Kentucky
9. Denzel Burke, Ohio State
8. Darien Porter, Iowa State
7. Benjamin Morrison, Notre Dame
6. Azareye’h Thomas, Florida State
5. Shavon Revel, East Carolina
4. Trey Amos, Ole Miss
3. Jahdae Barron, Texas
2. Will Johnson, Michigan
1. Travis Hunter, Colorado
Denzel Burke’s journey as an NFL Draft prospect has been a tumultuous one. He broke out as a freshman at Ohio State in 2021 and was included in way-too-early mocks from that point on. Since then, his stock has fizzled a bit, but he’s still an intriguing Day 2 option.
At 5’11”, 186 pounds, with 31 3/8″ arms, Burke’s size isn’t a separating factor, nor is his long speed. However, he counteracts that middling size profile with a terse upfield burst, solid recalibration quickness, fluidity, and the ball skills you’d expect from a former WR.
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.
Want more rankings? Here’s our NFL Draft Big Board for this year’s draft class. You can also make your own with the PFSN Big Board Builder.
Denzel Burke’s College Stats
Career
- Games Played: 51
- Tackles: 143
- Interceptions: 4
- Passes Defended: 28
2024 Season
- Games Played: 16
- Tackles: 48
- Interceptions: 2
- Passes Defended: 2