Draft expert on Burfict: ‘I don’t see first round at all’
Feb 15, 2012, 10:17 PM | Updated: 10:51 pm
Vontaze Burfict entered the 2011 season regarded as one of
the premier defensive players in the country.
As feared as he was explosive, the Arizona State Sun Devil
was projected as a first round pick in the NFL Draft, and
one of the first defensive players off the board.
That’s no longer the case.
According to NFL Network analyst Mike Mayock, Burfict
just isn’t the player many thought he was.
“I’m not a fan at all,” said Mayock. “I just watched a
bunch of his tape the other day. I came away unimpressed.”
While many point to the linebacker’s immaturity as a
reason to be wary of drafting him, Mayock points to the
player’s ability — or lack of.
“His instincts aren’t good,” Mayock observed. “He gets
enveloped by bigger bodies and he runs around blocks. I
don’t see first round at all.”
Burfict finished his ASU career with 228 total tackles
(134 solo) and seven sacks, but followed an impressive
sophomore year with a disappointing junior season.
Of course, this is not to say Burfict will go undrafted.
Some team will take a flyer on the Sun Devil, hoping he’ll
become the player many thought he would be.
