The Cleveland Browns are heading into the 2026 NFL Draft with needs at two main positions, offensive line and wide receiver. Thankfully, this year’s class is projected to be chock-full of excellent options at both spots in every round.
One particular player seems to be a pretty nice fit for what Todd Monken likes to do at “Z”, and that’s Oklahoma WR Deion Burks.
The 5’10”, 180-pound pass-catcher had an excellent day at the NFL Combine, posting top-notch numbers in the 40-yard dash (4.3 flat), vertical
jump (42.5”), and bench press (26 reps). Yes, you read that correctly, he pumped out more bench reps than quite a few defensive linemen who are 100+ pounds heavier than him.
Despite being so light, he’s pure muscle and is incredibly explosive out of the break after throttling down and making cuts on short to intermediate routes. Very few wide receivers in this year’s class can run a 5 to 7-yard slant route better than he can, and though that may not sound too exciting, every quarterback would kill to have a player who runs quick-game routes like Burks.
His physical limitations will definitely hinder his overall draft stock regardless of the testing numbers, but he may be the best player at the position in rounds 4-5. Cleveland could be targeting someone like Burks when looking for their second wide receiver after hopefully finding one early in round 1 or 2.
Burks would provide Todd Monken with a player similar to Zay Flowers, whom Monken utilized perfectly in Baltimore over the past few seasons. A playmaker that could be moved around and be incredibly effective on tunnel screens, in different “Dagger” concepts, and on bubble screens.
The Browns could definitely use some help in the explosive play department, and Burks would undoubtedly provide some potential there.
