S Burnett -- the "wow" workout no one knows

[Manster54]

It happens every year. There is a workout or two that slip through the cracks when the Pro Days are going strong that somehow doesn't get the attention it deserves.

This year that workout was the Georgia Tech Pro Day.

While all of the attention on that day was placed upon defensive end Derrick Morgan and running back Jonathan Dwyer, in reality, free safety Morgan Burnett was the star of the show.

His numbers, while all impressive, were led by a 3.92 second short shuttle -- the fastest verified time from any player tested at the Combine or any Pro Day this year. His 11'08 broad jump is also a spectacular number.

As a point of comparison, Fresno State cornerback A.J. Jefferson led all Combine participants with a 4.00 second time in the short shuttle and Virginia cornerback Chris Cook led all in Indianapolis with an 11 foot broad jump.

Burnett was unable to workout at the Combine due to a strained hamstring.

Measuring in at 6-1 (3/8) and 209 pounds, Burnett was clocked at 4.51 seconds in the 40-yard dash, among the fastest times of any safety tested this year. He also posted a 39.5" vertical jump, an 11'08" broad jump and a 6.87 second 3-cone drill.

Folks, those are staggering numbers that deserve attention.

I've spoken with teams who feel that Burnett is a lock for the middle of the second round. Based on these numbers, Burnett should have been included in my previous post -- which identified five players who could be surprise first round picks.

In reality, the people who matter -- NFL scouts -- fully know Burnett's impressive workout results. An estimated 20 teams were represented at the workout, including three head coaches. While Gil Brandt and the staff at NFL.com typically do a fabulous job of posting the "official" results from each workout, this one inexplicably was not reported.

SDogo, I like your posts-Seems like you do your homework. Thanks!

 

[CF74]

I still think he could be a good rb on a real football team.

Isn't he more of a straight line runner?

 

[Rampage]

Isn't he more of a straight line runner?

yeah. but it might help him if defenses actually had to pay attention to his qb or wrs who aren't "worth a ****".

 

[jobberone]

I'd be elated to get this guy but he won't be there in the second IMO. I'm not sure he's even a reach in the first although by consensus it is a little. That is by his average draft position to date but I don't see him as a big reach at 27. Ain't going to happen but he's an athlete with some skills.

 

[ThreeSportStar80]

If Dallas isn't interested in a guy like Atogwe in free agency then Burnett in the 2nd round would be a nice pick up.

 

[Silverstar]

Speed isn't the end all, be all it's often made out to be.

A smart defender who understands how to read his keys will be in proper position more frequently than a faster player who doesn't.

John Lynch was fricking slow and he had a superb career because he was a smart player.

True, but the faster player has better recovery speed to make up ground if he's out of position, where the slower player doesn't have that luxury.

Myron Rolle is VERY smart safety with average speed, but that high IQ won't help him cover guys like Larry Fitzgerald, Randy Moss, DeSean Jackson, Sidney Rice or Miles Austin.