The 2025 NFL offseason is here and that means it’s time for mock drafts, draft profiles and everything that goes with them. So without further ado, here’s one of many Draft Profiles for the 2025 NFL draft.
Denzel Burke, CB, OSU
HT: 6’1
WT: 194 lbs
Accolades:
• CFP national champion (2024)
• First-team All-Big Ten (2023)
• 2× Third-team All-Big Ten (2021, 2024)
Video:
Pros:
• Shows excellent ball skills, capable of high-pointing and disrupting passes with good timing and hand coordination.
• Possesses a smooth backpedal with quick feet, allowing for rapid transitions and effective mirroring of receivers.
• Demonstrates great quickness and burst when closing on ball carriers and in coverage situations.
• Fluid hips and good lateral movement enable him to stay with receivers through their routes effectively.
• Displays strong play recognition and awareness in both run and pass situations, contributing to overall defensive support.
• Effective in press coverage, using length and physicality to disrupt routes early.
• Combines length, speed, and agility, making him versatile in both man and zone coverages.
• Brings a competitive edge and willingness to support in run defense, showcasing physicality despite not being the most dynamic tackler.
Cons:
• Long speed, while decent is not elite. He will struggle against the speedier pro receivers – especially in deep man coverage
• Needs to improve footwork to avoid getting sloppy in transitions and closing on the ball.
• Occasionally overextends and grabs, risking penalties in tight coverage situations.
• Lacks elite hip fluidity, which can hinder recovery against quicker, more agile receivers.
• Struggles with securing tackles consistently, often opting for less reliable methods.
• Not overly physical in tackles, needing to add strength to enhance physicality at the next level.
Summary:
Denzel Burke’s unique combination of length, size, and ball skills makes him an attractive prospect for the NFL Draft. His impressive ability to mirror receivers’ routes and contest passes at the point of attack renders him effective in both man-to-man and zone coverage. Burke’s impressive collegiate resume, featuring 71 tackles, 26 pass breakups, and two interceptions, underscores his reputation as a playmaking defender.
Denzel Burke is poised to become a formidable outside cornerback in the NFL, capable of thriving in various defensive systems. His potential to excel in man coverage, coupled with his zone awareness, makes him a versatile and valuable defender. With refinement in tackling and footwork, Burke has the potential to evolve into a standout pro starter.
Throughout his collegiate career, Burke garnered numerous accolades, including Freshman All-American honors in 2021 and first-team All-Big Ten recognition in 2023. Over three seasons, he accumulated 71 tackles, two interceptions, one defensive touchdown, and 26 pass breakups, solidifying his status as a key contributor to Ohio State’s secondary and positioning himself for success at the next level.
Information in this article first appeared on NFL Draft Buzz and is used with permission. Find the latest coverage, analysis, and player rankings for the 2025 NFL Draft at nfldraftbuzz.com
Follow, Like and Subscribe to Bucs Report
For more on this and everything Buccaneers check back here hourly at BucsReport.com
