Terrell

Burgess

Burgess started in Week 5 in an injury crunch but was well down the Los Angeles depth chart at safety and ultimately had played just 82 defensive snaps for the team this season. Burgess has only 274 defensive snaps to his name in three seasons. The youngster might draw some waiver interest on account of his solid tackling -- his 68.3 PFF tackle grade this season is still fairly decent and is the lowest of his career to date.

The Rams also activated linebacker Obo Okoronkwo and defensive back Terrell Burgess. After losing a slew of players to the COVID list over the past two weeks, the Rams appear to be getting things on track now. Havenstein started every game through Week 13 for LA before being added to the COVID list. He’ll return to the starting role as long as the COVID-related absence didn’t mess with his conditioning.

Burgess was getting playing time after being the No. 104 overall pick in the 2020 season, but he broke his ankle in Week 8 while making a tackle. It’s a multi-month injury that requires surgery. Burgess should be well ahead of schedule by the time 2021 training camp returns. He has the potential to be the long-term starting safety in Los Angeles if he can return to full health.

Burgess (5’11/202) was a one-year starting safety at Utah who was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a senior. He was primarily a special teamer and nickel corner before switching positions in 2019. He played in the box (284 snaps), in the slot (273), and as a free safety (133) in his final season, but often ended up near the ball or in the backfield on blitzes. In coverage, he only allowed 4.75 yards per target and didn’t give up a single touchdown per PFF. He’s a fluid athlete with sticky coverage skills, but he’s undersized with average speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (33.5-inch vert). Burgess profiles as a potential starter at nickel or safety with a relatively-capped upside, but a relatively high floor, especially because he’s a high character person off the field.

Burgess (5’11/202) was a one-year starting safety at Utah who was an All-Pac 12 honorable mention as a senior. He was primarily a special teamer and nickel corner before switching positions in 2019. He played in the box (284 snaps), in the slot (273), and as a free safety (133) in his final season, but often ended up near the ball or in the backfield on blitzes. In coverage, he only allowed 4.75 yards per target and didn’t give up a single touchdown per PFF. He’s a fluid athlete with sticky coverage skills, but he’s undersized with average speed (4.46-second 40-yard dash) and explosiveness (33.5-inch vert). Burgess profiles as a potential starter at nickel or safety with a relatively-capped upside, but a relatively high floor, especially because he’s a high character person off the field.

It’s early, but Burgess (5'11/202) so far has the second best time of the safeties, second to just Jeremy Chinn’s 4.46 40-yard dash. There are many who believe that Burgess could play nickel at the next level, and he showed on Sunday he has the speed to keep up with all but the fastest of wideouts. He appears to have helped his stock in Indianapolis.

Utah quietly produces NFL defensive backs year in, year out. Burgess, a 6-foot, 198-pound strong safety, is next in line to be drafted. Burgess only has one season of starting experience, but has been a role player and special teamer for Utah since 2016. In nine starts in 2019, Burgess has racked up 29 solo tackles, one interception, and four passes defended.