2024 NFL Draft Scouting Report: Roderic Burns, WR, North Texas

Roderic Burns is a veteran receiver in North Texas's offense who's a dependable route runner. Hula Bowl scout Brinson Bagley breaks down Burns as an NFL Prospect in his report. — Roderic Burns is a veteran receiver in North Texas’s offense who’s a dependable route runner. Hula Bowl scout Brinson Bagley breaks down Burns as an NFL Prospect in his report.

Player Data

Name, Jersey #	Roderic Burns, #2
School (Code)	North Texas (TXNO)
Class Yr	rSr
Height, Weight	5085, 190 lbs
40 Yd Dash	4.52 est.
Position/Depth	Slot WR/PR
Honors/Captainship	PFF Offensive Team of the Week, Biletnikoff Award Watch List
Season Viewed (yr)	2021, 2022
Games Watched	11/26/2022 Rice @ North Texas 11/27/2021 University of Texas San Antonio @ North Texas11/05/2022 Florida International University @ North Texas
Scout Name / Date	Brinson Bagley, 09/08/2023

Per Year Stats (Most Recent First)

2022	Rec. 40 Yds. 676 Avg. 16.9 TD 1
2021	Rec. 58 Yds. 802 Avg. 13.8 TD 4
2020	Rec. 12 Yds. 161 Avg. 13.4 TD 0
2019	Rec. 02 Yds. 19 Avg. 9.5 TD 0

Player Summary:

A rSr has a slim wiry frame that resides on the slightly thick, but smaller side. He is a slot specialist that runs option routes for the North Texas Offense. He takes advantage of off coverage when running his stop or out routes using a good twitch, and breaking with a good angle that forces the defensive back to react. He is quick to diagnose and attack openings in zone defenses, and will sit, or move through the spaces and hold on to the ball after big hits. He has deceptively smooth hips and can abruptly break off his stem with fast and agile feet. Additionally, he has sneaky deep speed that is rarely tapped, and will punish a defensive back’s blind side, or an unsuspecting safety on a double move. A dependable route runner, he maintains his route structure against coverage, and sifts through the muck of the secondary and will come down with passes targeted directly to him. He shows the ability to adjust to slightly off passes and has the pure speed to get YAC in space, while usually falling forward after contact. He also lines up in Special Teams as a Returner.

As a blocker he needs to improve his effectiveness, and consistency by getting more than his hands on his assignment, and consistently competing to the whistle against defenders. He has adequate play speed and separation ability against man coverage, especially in crossers. Additionally, he remains relatively untested in tight coverage against upper echelon corners. When looking to get additional yards, he shows little elusiveness through jukes, and often chooses to run through or around defenders. When the pass is out of his target zone by more than a small amount, he is unable to come down with the ball.

Scheme Fit:

Spread Scheme as a Slot/Flanker

Power Statement:

Roderic Burns plays with intelligence and toughness to overcome his lack of desired height for his position. Many of his hold ups are coachable, and he shows untapped potential. He will make noise in training camp at the next level.