Deontay

Burnett

It would appear 23-year-old Burnett was injured while working out away from the team. Burnett was active for all 16 games last season but caught just three passes for 19 yards. This, in one of the league’s most injured receiver corps. 10 of Burnett’s 15 career receptions came his 2018 rookie year with the Jets. Burnett’s youth should earn him another opportunity, but his odds of breaking through as a pass catcher are rapidly diminishing.

Burnett, in his third season, started one game for Philadelphia last year after spending his rookie season with the Jets. Eagles beat writers have raved about Burnett in training camp, so it’s no surprise the team wants to put the wideout on their practice squad if he clears waivers. Waiving Burnett could be a sign that Alshon Jeffrey is healthy enough to start the season for the Eagles after undergoing foot surgery during the offseason.

Burnett was an exclusive rights free agent. A 2018 UDFA, Burnett got some play down the stretch of 2018. That gives him a leg up on trying to earn a 53-man roster spot.

Burnett led the Jets in receiving in this one with Sam Darnold throwing for just 167 scoreless yards. An undrafted rookie out of USC, where Burnett was Darnold’s teammate, Burnett was thrusted into heavy snaps at times with the Jets seemingly battling injuries at wideout all season. Burnett ends the year with 10 grabs for 143 scoreless yards on 15 targets. He’ll compete for a roster spot in 2019. The Jets badly need to upgrade Darnold’s supporting cast in the spring.

Burnett (6’0/186) turned pro after three years at USC, compiling a career 152/1,897/12.5/16 receiving line and emerging as Sam Darnold’s go-to guy as a 2017 junior. Burnett caught 8-of-9 TDs on slot routes last season, and PFF College charted Burnett with the second-lowest drop rate (2.3%) in this year’s wide receiver class. Limited leading up to the draft by a torn hamstring, Burnett managed a 4.70 forty time at the Trojans’ Pro Day. Burnett’s soft hands and toughness give him a shot to hang around, but ultimately he is a low-upside slot-only prospect with pedestrian traits.