Miles

Burris

A fourth-round pick of the Raiders in 2012, Burris started 31 games (including all 16 last year) and finished with 142 tackles. He became expendable when the Raiders drafted LBs Ben Heeney, Neiron Ball, and Max Valles over the weekend.

Curry missed the entirety of training camp after his ailing knees failed to respond to stem-cell treatment. Rookie Miles Burris, a favorite of NFL Films guru Greg Cosell, has been starting in Curry’s place throughout August.

The Raiders will get to take a look at the state of Curry’s knees in practice for three weeks before deciding whether to activate him. If healthy, the former No. 4 overall pick would at least push Miles Burris for snaps on the weak side.

McClain played under 20 snaps in Week 6 against the Falcons, while Burris played 55-of-55. The No. 8 overall pick in the 2010 draft, McClain has just 27 tackles through five games, and his per-week statistical averages will likely drop even further moving forward. He’s bench material/waiver wire fodder in IDP leagues.

Miles Burris is running with the ones at “Will,” with rookie Khalil Mack at Sam ‘backer and Nick Roach in the middle. Moore flashed promise during his rookie season, but isn’t a natural fit on the weak side, and may be limited to a pass-rush specialist role. Moore had 4.5 sacks in 11 starts last year.

One of the toughest players in the draft, Burris boasts a high football intelligence and work ethic while measuring in at 6'2/246 pounds. However, he is a limited athlete and tends to grind out his pressures off the edge. Burris may play the strong side linebacker position with the Raiders but is limited in coverage. A potential situational pass rusher early in his career, Burris finished with eight sacks last season and was always around the ball.

A relentless pass rusher at San Diego State, Burris’ best position in the long term probably projects as SAM ‘backer. In Tuesday’s practice, Burris worked with the first-team defense at weak-side linebacker with Aaron Curry getting time off. Burris is learning both outside spots during the instructional workouts.

He had four tackles in Oakland’s first two preseason games. Usual WLB Aaron Curry is suddenly on the bubble due to recurring knee woes, leaving Burris as the favorite to start in Week 1. Rolando McClain is locked in as the Raiders’ starting middle linebacker. Philip Wheeler is starting on the strong side.

In a pre-draft sleeper article, NFL Films’ Greg Cosell called Burris “one of my favorite players to watch on tape” for his intensity, versatility, and skill as a “speed/power rusher.” Burris has worked behind WLB Aaron Curry in OTAs, but he could be the Raiders’ strong-side linebacker of the future.

It’s believed he underwent surgery in January, although the extent of the operation was never revealed. “Scopes” don’t usually sideline players for four months. Burris has lost his starting job after Oakland’s offseason linebacker signings. A 2012 fourth-round pick, he struggled mightily as a rookie.