2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Denzel Burke

Ohio State likes to claim the DBU crown, thanks to a strong showing during the Urban Meyer years. Since then, the Buckeyes have gone three drafts without a drafted corner and haven’t had a first-round pick at the position since 2020. Unfortunately, it’s not likely that Denzel Burke will be the next first-round pick, but he’s destined to hear his name called at some point. After four years of incredibly high highs and low lows at Ohio State, Burke is going to be an interesting case to watch in the NFL. In the right system, Burke could be special.

More 2024 NFL Draft Profiles

2025 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Denzel Burke

Height: 5’11”
Weight: 186 pounds
Arms: 31 3/8″
Hands: 8 3/4″
Vertical: TBD
Broad Jump: TBD
40-yard: 4.48
RAS: TBD
School: Ohio State

Denzel Burke NFL Draft Overview

As part of the Buckeyes’ 2021 recruiting class, Burke was overlooked. Ohio State brought in four corners in the class, and Burke was the lowest-ranked of the group. Despite that, he was the only true freshman starter in the season-opening win over Minnesota and proceeded to lead the entire Buckeye defense with 731 snaps. He was one of just two players with over 700. On the year, Burke finished the season with 37 tackles, 12 pass breakups, and one pick six in the win over Rutgers.

For a while, there was a caveat that Burke was good in 2021 “for a freshman.” As a sophomore, he kept it up with 34 tackles, three tackles for loss, and five pass breakups. As a junior,it was more of the same. In 11 games, he managed 24 tackles, three tackles for loss, nine pass breakups, a forced fumble, and an interception. There were rumblings that he could jump to the NFL and could have found himself drafted toward the beginning of the draft.

Instead, he joined the dozen other Buckeyes and decided to come back for 2024 for one more shot at glory. Overall, he showed that it was the right decision to return. In 16 games, Burke totaled 48 tackles, three tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. He had a low point in the regular-season loss to Oregon where he allowed eight catches on eight targets for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Given, the Buckeyes had no pass rush, so he was left on an island to be picked apart. Regardless, that game left a bad taste in people’s mouths, and he had to play at an elite level down the stretch to make them forget. And he did.

Strengths

• Sticky, physical in man coverage
• Has a smooth backpedal that he can break out of easily
• 35 career starts
• Willing and able run defender, can come downhill to bring the hammer
• Excels in man coverage
• Has solid ball skills and can punch it out at the point of attack
• Can play anywhere in any system
• Will be a special teams star at the very least

Weaknesses

• High-risk, high-reward type of player
• Can get overwhelmed in man coverage
• Goes for the interception when the ball is in the air rather than trying to break up the pass or make the stop
• Regular-season Oregon game was teach tape on what not to do
• Susceptible to defensive pass interference and holding calls down the field

Best Fits: Minnesota Vikings, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, New York Giants

Projection: Late Second/Early-to-mid Third Round

Bottom Line on Denzel Burke

Denzel Burke is a talented, productive, polarizing cornerback prospect in this year’s draft class, that much is certain. For the majority of his career, he was a physical corner who could lock down his side of the field. He has solid ball skills but will often go for the interception. As a result, he can blow his coverage and give up massive plays.

At the same time, he has some concerns. Despite the fact that he avenged himself in the Rose Bowl against Oregon, that regular-season loss at Autzen will loom large. Yes, the Buckeyes’ pass rush left him out to dry but as the top corner, Burke had to step up and failed.

Could he develop into a CB1 on the outside? Sure. However, if an NFL team approaches him with the opportunity to be a slot corner who can man up with tight ends, come down in run defense, and occasionally blitz. Burke has the talent to make it in the NFL. Once he refines his technique, he can be a solid starter at the next level.