Colts landed one of the biggest steals of the 2026 NFL Draft, and the league is going to regret letting him fall
The Indianapolis Colts and one of their 2026 NFL Draft picks are going to make the rest of the league seriously regret passing on him and letting him fall into Indy’s lap so late in the draft.
The Indianapolis Colts’ 2026 NFL Draft class has some intriguing pieces a part of it. They landed day one starters in the second and third rounds in linebacker C.J. Allen and AJ Haulcy. Also, they are betting on the high upside of their fifth-round pick, George Gumbs Jr.
However, the biggest steal of the team’s class was their last pick. With the 254th pick, the Colts selected Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks.
Colts selecting Oklahoma wide receiver Deion Burks in the seventh round is a massive steal
Throughout the draft process, Burks was viewed as a player who would probably hear his name called during the early rounds of day three. Some viewed him as a player who could slide into the third round and be a day two selection, though.
Burks’ top skill is his speed and athleticism. He recorded the best vertical (42.5″) and most bench reps by any wide receiver at the scouting combine. He also had the third fastest 40-yard dash (4.30) and the fourth furthest broad jump.
The biggest con to his game is something he can’t control: his size. He measures in at just under 5-10, which will lead many to assume he has to be a slot receiver, like Josh Downs. I don’t view him that way at all, though.
What can Deion Burks’ role with the Colts be early in his career?
Burks has the size and speed of a slot wide receiver, but it hasn’t been how his college coaches have chosen to use him primarily? Why is that, you ask? Because of his play strength and ability to make plays down the field as a Z wide receiver.
At both Purdue and Oklahoma, he was used more on the outside than in the slot. I think he can do that at the NFL level as well, and it may be what the Colts ask of him.
The Colts have Alec Pierce, who will operate as their X wide receiver as he has in recent years. His role will be expanded as well with the departure of Michael Pittman Jr. Josh Downs has been the starting slot, and the team will work to get him on the field more, which could include more outside snaps.
When it comes to Burks, though, I’m strictly looking at what the Colts will do when a play calls for three wide receivers. In those situations, I expect Downs to be in the slot where he is the most comfortable as a player. A few different wide receivers will compete for the Z wide receiver role.
Ashton Dulin, Nick Westbrook-Ikhine, and now Burks will have a crack at winning that role in training camp. You don’t see seventh-round rookies get that opportunity very often. But in the Colts’ eyes, Burks isn’t someone who should have been on the board at that point; anyway, they just got lucky.
