In the far-too-early 2025 trial draft. Doug Farrar from Touchdown Wire The Green Bay Packers selected Ohio State linebacker Denzel Burke with the 24th overall pick.
Burke, who is listed at 6-1 – 193 pounds, will enter his fourth season at Ohio State in 2024 with 1,898 career snaps, most of which have been at the weight limit.
Over the course of his three-year career, Burke posted a completion rate of just 52 percent on 151 targets at 12.2 yards per catch to go along with two interceptions and 21 pass breakups. He has a career pass rate when targeted of 74.7.
In the mock draft, Farrar highlights Burkes’ press and play coverage skills, which have become very valuable in today’s NFL and fit very well with what novel defensive coordinator Jeff Hafley wants to accomplish in Green Bay.
Denzel Burke showed in 2023 that he has it covered. Need a press match? Bright. Do you want a guy who can play and be on the ball quickly? I see. Give him another season to strengthen his angles and tackling, be careful. pic.twitter.com/PIOU7y3Ac1
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) June 17, 2024
For more on Burke’s game, here’s a clip of it Ian Cummings of Pro Football Network had this to say in his initial scouting report:
“At 6-foot-7, 193 pounds, elite explosive athleticism and a near-elite mix of speed, fluidity and shake, Burke passes the eye test with flying colors and is a former WR with proven ball skills. He is proactive with the ball in the air and is a physical, quick player who supports runs.
The cornerback position has some question marks heading into the 2025 season, although Matt LaFleur recently mentioned that he really likes the depth going into training camp, with Eric Stokes fully vigorous and Carrington Valentine gaining weight in the offseason.
With Jaire Alexander, Keisean Nixon and Valentine all under contract until the end of the 2026 season, a defender may not be a pressing need on paper. However, depth and competition would be nice since Stokes and Corey Ballentine will be free agents next season, especially if Stokes ends up elsewhere.
During Brian Gutekunst’s tenure as general manager of the Packers, he took a cornerback in the first round twice, selecting Alexander in 2018 and Stokes in 2021. He also took Josh Jackson in the second round in 2018.
This is a unit that needs more ball production this season, and the addition of Hafley as defensive coordinator should support do some of the hefty lifting, while his vision-driven and more aggressive approach to defense will put defenders in better positions to make plays. on football.
