Film Grade: 60/70

Round Grade: 1st

Scouting Report Summary: "Rare athlete with elite size, body control and catch radius who is a versatile weapon that can be deployed all over the field but could use improved route salesmanship."

Analysis: Burks sitting atop the WR throne has as much to do with his jaw-dropping plays as it does with me trying to learn and improve from my evaluation process. Last year, I had DeVonta Smith over Ja'Marr Chase, as my WR1. I adored Smith because he was the best route runner in the class, was a YAC god, could be aligned inside and outside and had absurd production.

I was wary of Chase opting out of his final season and that he relied too much on his athleticism to bully cornerbacks, rather than running detailed routes like Smith. I initially viewed Burks much like Chase and Garrett Wilson much like Smith, leaving me to have Wilson as WR1 for most of the year.

Instead of doubling down on my past evaluation strategy, I'm learning from my "mistake" - I still think Smith is a great WR who would've benefited from playing with Joe Burrow rather than Jalen Hurts, but I digress.

Thus, I'm not overthinking Burks and his freakish athletic gifts. I don't care that he ran a 4.55 40-yard dash because on the field, there weren't many defenders who could cover or catch him. The raw talent just oozes out of Burks, much as it did with Chase, leaving me no choice but to have Burks on top.