While the 2021 college football and NFL seasons are still underway, the process for the 2022 NFL Draft has already begun. NFL teams have been scouting college star players on key positions they will need to address when the 2022 NFL Draft starts on April 28, 2022.
On Oct. 27, ESPN NFL Draft analyst Todd McShay released his board of the top players eligible for the 2022 Draft. One of these top players includes Arkansas Razorbacks wide receiver Treylon Burks, who is the 18th best player on the list. Burks is the fourth-rated wide receiver and the eighth top player from the SEC on this list.
In eight games this season, Burks has caught 42 receptions for 717 yards and seven touchdowns. He has accounted for four 100-yard receiving games this season including his six receptions for 167 yards and one touchdown in the Razorbacks' win over Texas A&M. He has caught 122 receptions for 2,012 yards and 14 touchdowns in his three years at Arkansas.
Burks doesn't have the elite speed that some of the other receivers in the Draft possess. He does, however, possess dynamic route-running, a good burst of agility in his vertical routes, the ability to separate himself through his routes or contact and great ball skills. He can fight through contested coverages from the opposing defensive backs. Finally, Burks is highly athletic and elusive after the catch to run for extra yardage.
Most of the top receivers in the NFL either rely on their speed to separate themselves from the opposing defensive back, or they can make great catches through contested coverage. With a combination of agility, athleticism, dynamic route running, great ball skills and ability to make contested catches, Burks could see his name be called by a playoff-caliber team late in the first round.
The Razorbacks have only had one player get drafted in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2008. The last player drafted in the first round was center Frank Ragnow with the 20th overall pick to the Detroit Lions. Burks could be next in line for the first round.