Colts draft WR Deion Burks - Round 7, Pick 254

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

Colts add a WR with their last pick

https://x.com/RomeovilleKid/status/2048175577362776227

The Colts chose former Oklahoma WR Deion Burks at pick No. 254 with their final selection of the draft.

He had 57 catches for 620 yards and four TDs last year.

Previously played at Purdue.

[YDFL Commish]

Speed to burn!

[IndyNorm]

The talking heads on ESPN were very complimentary of Burks. Said they were surprised he dropped as far as he did and would be interested to see why. His college stats look like he really underachieved compared to his measurables, so maybe that's it??

[YDFL Commish]

The talking heads on ESPN were very complimentary of Burks. Said they were surprised he dropped as far as he did and would be interested to see why. His college stats look like he really underachieved compared to his measurables, so maybe that's it??

5-9, 180 will scare off a lot of teams.

[Dam8610]

5-9, 180 will scare off a lot of teams.

He's 5'10" 180 and since Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, that scares a lot less teams away.

[YDFL Commish]

He's 5'10" 180 and since Devonta Smith and Jaylen Waddle, that scares a lot less teams away.

He's still a peanut, to paraphrase our once infamous GM, Ryan Grigson, in describing TY Hilton. Some GM's, coaches, scouts, just don't like that profile.

[Puck]

Believe Blue
@BelieveBlue1953
·
18h
How fast is our new receiver?

4.30 Deion Burks "The Seam Reaper"
4.39 Anthony Gould
4.41 Alec Pierce
4.43 Ashton Dulin
4.48 Josh Downs
4.52 Westbrook-Ikhine

https://x.com/BelieveBlue1953/status/2048189879146680357?s=20

[Puck]

John Davis
@joohndavis
·
Apr 25
Burks ran the fastest 40-yard dash (4.30s) by any player to hit 25+ reps on the bench press at the combine since at least 2003.

His 42.5” vertical was also first among all combine receivers.

https://x.com/joohndavis/status/2048175237871591444?s=20

[Puck]

Click the link for the numbers

https://x.com/NFLSEshow/status/2047004901125869859?s=20


NFL Stock Exchange
@NFLSEshow
Stop sleeping on Deion Burks😴

[Racehorse]

Click the link for the numbers

https://x.com/NFLSEshow/status/2047004901125869859?s=20


NFL Stock Exchange
@NFLSEshow
Stop sleeping on Deion Burks😴

the next TY?

[Dam8610]

The agilities leave a bit to be desired, but his route running looks solid and polished. The speed and explosiveness are huge assets.

[Oldcolt]

Ballard does his best work in the later rounds. Fingers crossed

[Hoopsdoc]

Seems like a Gould clone. Maybe he returns punts?

[Kray007]

Fast, apparently the Colts timed him at 4.2’something
Good change of direction ability
Explosive
Strong

If his head’s screwed on right, he has the potential to be TY Hilton 2.0

[AlwaysSunnyinIndy]

The Ringer had ranked Burks the 90th best prospect in this draft.

If the reason for the draft day slide was concerns related to his size, selecting him in the 7th Round near the end of the draft was a no-brainer.


Here was The Ringer's scouting report:

https://theringer.com/nfl-draft/2026/big-board#content

Player comp: Shades of Zay Flowers

Souped-up pass catcher who can line up across the formation and win with top-tier speed and agility.

Burks is an undersized but explosive playmaker who brings alignment versatility, sure hands, and run-after-the catch talent to the field. A fifth-year senior and transfer to Oklahoma in 2024 after starting his career at Purdue, he finished second on the Sooners in catches and yards in 2025, tallying 57 receptions for 620 yards and four touchdowns. He’s quick as a hiccup, using sudden jukes to get off the line and into his route. He uses sharp cuts in his routes to create early separation and has the speed to run away from defenders on deep crossing routes. He leaves corners flat-footed and out of position on double moves. He catches the ball cleanly and shows creativity as a runner with the ball in his hands. He’s utilized on sweeps and screens, where his turbo-boosted acceleration helps him avoid defenders and weave through traffic. Despite his diminutive size, he’s not limited to the slot, with 64 percent of his career snaps coming from the outside. He has reliable hands, with just four drops over the past two seasons at Oklahoma. He brings experience as a kick returner.

Burks lacks size and has a relatively small catch radius. He’s too easily outmuscled at the catch point, and bigger corners slow him up at the route break at times. His college production never stood out and doesn’t match his outstanding explosive traits. Despite his speed, he didn’t produce many big plays over the past two years, with just two receptions of 20-plus yards in that stretch, per PFF. He won’t offer much as a blocker.

[ChaosTheory]

The Ringer had ranked Burks the 90th best prospect in this draft.


I'm going to snoop around other fanbases, but do you know of any other teams with this amount/level of "steals" relative to the consensus boards?

I don't get Allen, Haulcy, Farmer, or Burks falling like they did.