Big-Play Alabama Receiver Has Predraft Visit With Packers
Jermaine Burton, who led the SEC in yards per catch and drop percentage, could be a Day 2 pick for the Green Bay Packers.
The Green Bay Packers are set at receiver, right?
Right?
Perhaps general manager Brian Gutekunst does not think that his historically young receiving corps is set for the future. A source confirmed to Packer Central that he’s bringing in former Alabama receiver Jermaine Burton for a predraft visit.
The Packers’ receivers shined down the stretch last season, with what felt like a different leading receiver each week as the offense hit its peak.
Romeo Doubs, Dontayvion Wicks, Jayden Reed, Christian Watson and Bo Melton all had big games once the calendar turned to December and January.
All of those players are under contract next season and, in the case of Doubs, Wicks, Reed and Watson, at least two more years.
The other side of the argument is Brian Gutekunst is always willing to create competition in any room on his team, and all of the aforementioned players have had bouts of inconsistency as young players.
If the Packers are looking for some competition at the back of their receiver room, Burton certainly fits the bill.
Here’s a closer look at the talented prospect from the Crimson Tide.
Who is Jermaine Burton?
Burton had an interesting path to this year’s NFL Draft. He started his college career at Georgia, where he caught 43 passes in two seasons for a Bulldogs and won one national championship.
Burton transferred to Alabama after he helped Georgia beat the Crimson Tide to win the first of back-to-back national championships.
Burton’s final non-playoff game in college was a big one. In Alabama’s 27-24 victory over Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, an outcome that knocked the Bulldogs out of the playoff, Burton caught two passes for 40 yards and one touchdown.
Burton was a touchdown-scoring machine for the Crimson Tide, with 15 of his 79 receptions in two seasons winding up in the end zone.
He was sure-handed, as well. According to Pro Football Focus, there are 125 FBS-level receivers in this draft class who were targeted at least 50 times in the passing game in 2023. His 39 receptions without a drop ranked second to Tulsa’s Kamdyn Benjamin.
Burton is 6-foot 1/4 and 196 pounds. He ran his 40 in 4.45 seconds, posted a 38.5-inch vertical and has a Relative Athletic Score of 9.09. With that speed, he led the SEC with 20.5 yards per catch in 2023.
How Does Jermaine Burton Fit With Packers?
The receiver position is an interesting one as a whole, because the Packers could see that position group and think they’re set for the foreseeable future.
There’s also an argument to be made that the Packers don’t fully know what they have with any of their top targets.
Doubs was the team’s best receiver in the playoffs but is the least athletically gifted and struggled with inconsistency. Watson is the most athletically gifted but struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Reed, Wicks and Melton all contributed to an NFL team for the first time in 2023.
Samori Toure, Malik Heath and Grant DuBose are far from locks to make the roster.
It’s possible Gutekunst wants to continue to add competition to the receiver room, and could use a higher-than-expected pick on a pass catcher to continue to build that room around Jordan Love.
There is precedent for this, albeit some older precedent.
The Packers did not need a receiver in 2011 when they drafted Randall Cobb. A second-round pick, Cobb was the best slot receiver to play with Aaron Rodgers.
They certainly did not need a receiver in 2008 when they drafted Jordy Nelson in the second-round. They did, anyway, and if not for Davante Adams, Nelson would have been the best receiver to play with Rodgers.
Ted Thompson made those picks, and Gutekunst has shown some of the same tendencies as a general manager that Thompson had during his time.
Burton could enter a very competitive receiver room looking to make his mark, while also being afforded the luxury of being able to sit and learn the NFL game.
Round Projection for Jermaine Burton
Burton’s media grading is all over the map, from No. 52 at Pro Football Focus to No. 96 for ESPN No. 199 for The 33rd Team.
If the Packers like him enough, there is a chance they could use one of their two picks in the second round – a perennial sweet spot for the Packers – or two picks in third round. If they were to use that kind of capital on him, it’s because they’re looking at upcoming contract discussions with Romeo Doubs and Christian Watson.
Both of those players could be negotiating for potential extensions next season, and both could be on their way out the door. That is the business of the NFL. Doubs has battled inconsistency. Watson has battled injuries and inconsistency. Gutekunst could look at Burton as insurance for that type of situation arising.
Related Story: Packers Visits Tracker
Jermaine Burton
Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Here are the NFL Draft prospects who have come to Green Bay to meet with the Packers.
