Rookie Profile: Jermaine Burton, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
Welcome to the Rookie Profile for Jermaine Burton, a Wide Receiver from Alabama. He is from Calabasas, California, and was a 4-star recruit out of Calabasas High School.
In 2020, as a freshman, he appeared in 10 games for Georgia. In those 10 games, he recorded 27 catches for 404 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns en route to a solid debut season.
His 2021 as a sophomore for the Bulldogs he played in 14 games and recorded a similar stating of 26 receptions for 497 receiving yards and 5 touchdowns.
He transferred to Alabama in 2022 as a junior and appeared in 13 games. In his first season with the Crimson Tide, he totaled 40 receptions, 677 receiving yards, and 7 touchdowns. In his senior season of 2023, he recorded another solid season with 39 receptions for 798 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns.
Measurables
Draft Capital & Landing Spot
Draft Capital- Round 3 Pick 16
- This is more or less the draft capital that I expected for Burton. During his time at the University of Alabama, he displayed two things; elite talent and character concerns.
- The fact that the Bengals still invested an early third-round pick in him shows that they believe in the talent and if he can get his act together, he could be the WR2 after Tee Higgins moves on, which should be soon.
Landing Spot- Jermaine Burton
- The Bengals are a mixed landing spot. As of this season, the best he could hope to be is a replacement for the recently departed Tyler Boyd. However, after Tee Higgins finds a new home, he could soon find himself with a chance to be the definitive WR2 in a high-flying offense.
- The fact that Burton will likely have to wait a year for his opportunity could be a blessing in disguise. Instead of being forced into the WR2 role as a rookie, he can take his rookie season to properly develop and learn the ropes before ascending to his position.
Team Depth Chart
Expected Role: Number 3 Receiver
Depth Chart via Fantasy Pros
Fantasy Impact
Jermaine Burton is going to be a long-term project pick in your rookie drafts. If you need an immediate contributor, Burton isn’t likely to be helpful to you. If you are a team that is already set at the position and can afford a developmental player who will spend the year on your taxi squad, this is a high-upside pick.
We have seen in years past just how much value there is to be had in receivers who fall in the draft due to character concerns. There is always the possibility he flames out entirely or runs half-naked across the field like Antonio Brown, but if he does manage to hit, we see just how awesome Antonio Brown was for fantasy managers.
Check out The Fantasy Football Universe Sneak Peek Video of Jermaine Burton.
Check out our 2024 Rookie Rankings Page for a full breakdown of this rookie class.
