Alright, let’s talk about how I approached figuring out Jermaine Burton’s fantasy value this year. It’s something I do every year with rookies, especially receivers landing in interesting spots.
Getting Started: The Draft Pick
So, the NFL draft wrapped up, and I saw Jermaine Burton got picked by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round. That immediately pinged my radar. Anytime a receiver with some college hype lands with a team that has a great quarterback like Joe Burrow, you gotta pay attention. Plus, they lost Tyler Boyd, so there’s theoretically a spot opening up.
Digging In: Gathering the Info
First thing I did was pull up his college stats. Saw he played at both Georgia and Alabama, which is interesting. You want to see production, especially at big programs. His numbers weren’t earth-shattering consistently, but he definitely flashed, especially deep downfield. Had that good final year at Bama.
Then, I spent a good chunk of an afternoon watching highlights and cut-ups on YouTube. I wasn’t just looking for touchdowns; I tried to focus on his route running, how he got separation, what he did after the catch, and his hands. Watched some interviews too, just to get a feel for the guy.
Checked out his combine results next. The speed was obvious on tape, and his 40-yard dash time confirmed it – dude can fly. Physical tools are definitely there.
Putting it Together: My Thoughts
Okay, so after looking at all that, here’s what stuck out to me:
- The Speed: It’s legit. He can take the top off a defense, and that fits well with Burrow’s arm. Cincy needs someone who can stretch the field opposite Ja’Marr Chase, especially if Tee Higgins draws attention.
- Route Running: It’s decent, sometimes really sharp, especially on vertical routes. Needs refinement on the full route tree, maybe, but the potential is there.
- Hands: Saw some really impressive catches, but also heard about concentration drops being an issue sometimes. Gotta watch that.
- The Situation: This is key. Landing with Burrow is a huge plus. But, he’s walking into a room with two established stars in Chase and Higgins (assuming Higgins plays for them all year). That caps his immediate target share. He’s competing for that WR3 role, likely against guys like Andrei Iosivas and Charlie Jones.
Forming the Fantasy Outlook
So, translating this into fantasy football terms… My first thought was dynasty leagues. In rookie drafts, he felt like a solid pick somewhere in the second round, maybe slipping to the early third in some drafts. The upside is definitely there if he develops and especially if Higgins leaves after this season.
For standard redraft leagues this year? I cooled on him a bit for immediate impact. It’s tough for a rookie WR to make a big splash right away, especially when they aren’t the first or second option. He feels more like a late-round flier or someone to watch on the waiver wire early in the season. If he starts earning snaps and targets consistently, then maybe he becomes interesting.
He’s not someone I’m actively targeting in drafts for immediate starting lineups in 2024. The path to consistent targets just looks a bit crowded early on. He needs to beat out the other young guys for that WR3 spot first.
Final Takeaway
So, my process basically led me here: Burton’s got the talent and landed in a potentially great long-term spot with a top QB. But, for this upcoming season, I see him more as a developmental guy with upside rather than an instant fantasy starter. The competition for targets is just too high right now with Chase and Higgins there. I’ll keep him on my watch lists, especially in dynasty, but I’m tempering expectations for year one. Definitely worth monitoring his usage in training camp and preseason.
