Adam Peters isn’t done taking former high-round NFL draft picks off the open market to help the Washington Commanders, with wide receiver Treylon Burks “expected to sign” with the practice squad, “with an elevation likely coming quickly.”
That’s according to a report on Thursday, October 16 from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. He also revealed Burks, who was drafted 18th overall by the Tennessee Titans in 2022, “had visited Washington and the #Broncos. A low-risk, high-reward addition, Burks played in a similar offense in college.”
Interestingly, Rapoport then appeared to contradict part of his initial report when he speculated it’s “hard to imagine Burks would be ready to play so quickly. But moving forward, an intriguing option.”
No matter when he’s ready to suit up, Burks can help what Rapoport dubbed, “severe depth issues at WR.” Those issues are summed up by the Commanders placing Noah Brown on injured reserve, while also dealing with on-again, off-again durability issues concerning go-to target Terry McLaurin.
This much uncertainty at a key position prompted the Commanders to host Burks for a visit earlier in the week. His pending arrival on a more prolonged basis follows Peters signing and stashing a former second-round pick of the San Francisco 49ers to provide future help on defense.
Treylon Burks an Interesting Use Case for Commanders
There’s a reason Burks has previously been touted as a worthy signing for the Commanders and offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. Not only is the 6-foot-2, 225-pounder a physical specimen who fits the big-bodied mold Kingsbury favored at wideout when he was head coach of the Arizona Cardinals.
Burks is also somebody who thrived at the collegiate level by feasting on yards after the catch. He even earned comparison to current Commanders playmaker Deebo Samuel.
The latter is a punishing player with the ball in his hands, and Burks even tried to mimic the Samuel template. He confirmed as much to reporters at the 2022 NFL Scouting Combine, admitting, “I’ve watched a lot of Deebo Samuel. The way that he plays running back, plays inside, plays outside, multi player, person, athlete. So I try to mimic my game after him,” per NFL.com’s Gennaro Filice.
Translating what he learned from Samuel to the pros has been a problem for Burks, who has also been blighted by injuries. He experienced knee problems and multiple concussions, before a torn ACL wrecked his 2024 season.
A fractured shoulder this offseason ended his time with the Titans, but Burks still offers decent upside among a contingent of receivers defined more by potential than proven talent.
Commanders Need Options at WR
Samuel has been trying to carry the load, but he needs help. Second-year pro Luke McCaffrey has provided some select big plays as a growing scoring threat, while this year’s fourth-round pick Jaylin Lane is a flexible and roving speedster Kingsbury needs to get more involved.
Waiting on young and developing players to step up is a risky strategy for the Commanders. Especially when the fortunes of the team are tethered so closely to the arm of star quarterback Jayden Daniels.
He’s an ascending player at football’s most important position, but Daniels will progress more rapidly with more dynamic skill players at his disposal. Burks has a long way to go to prove he belongs in that bracket, although he’s landing in the right system with the right play-caller and right QB1 to help him prove he’s no draft flop.
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