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Washington Redskins 2016 Draft Profiles: Artie Burns, CB

Hogs Haven takes a look at 2016 NFL Draft prospects that could contribute to the Redskins.

By Gabe Ward
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Artie Burns, CB
School: Miami | Conference: ACC
College Experience: Junior | Age: 20
Height / Weight: 6-0 / 193 lbs
Projected Draft Status: 2nd Round
NFL Comparison: Malcolm Jenkins

College Statistics

Player Overview

Artie Burns is an A+ athlete. Before coming to Miami to play football he won state titles in track and field. His speed and length show on the football field. He's able to stick with receivers vertically and has great instincts and vision allowing him to jump routes or recover and get in between the ball and the receiver. He displays good body control and hands when the ball is in the air and because of his length shows an impressive catch radius which helped him produce six interceptions on the season. Burns plays with more finesse than aggression but he's still a great competitor and plays with confidence. He needs to improve his tackling, particularly converting his impressive speed to power when making contact. He also needs to get comfortable contributing in run support more. 

Many thought Burns would be a better served to stay and play his senior season at Miami to improve his skills and draft position. However, in October, Burns' mother suffered a sudden heart attack and passed away leaving Burns the sole caretaker of his younger siblings. In Artie Burns' statement explaining his reasons for leaving he said it is his responsibility now to be the provider for his family.

Strengths

  • Smart player knows how to position himself in coverage and how to utilize space, will trick quarterbacks into making bad throws.
  • Great instincts and athleticism will read the QBs eyes and can locate the ball in the air, can time his jumps and disruptions well.
  • He has good size though long and lean Burns should have no trouble playing on the boundaries in the NFL.
  • Showed ball hawk skills this past season, he made some impressive interceptions and showed great body control.
  • Was asked to play single high safety during the season and did well there.


Weaknesses

  • On occasion plays overconfident allowing too much space underneath he can be beaten when having run with receivers laterally.
  • Needs to use his size more, get in on tackles and improve technique.
  • Undisciplined and over aggressive in coverage sometimes leading to PI calls.
  • Lacks a consistent sense of urgency from game to game from quarter to quarter, from play to play.


Let's see his work:


Combine Results


How He Would Fit on the Redskins

I listed aggressiveness, size, and motor as positives and weakness for Burns. I'm left with feeling that he is extremely talented but is very much inconsistent and still needs further development. I think Burns is at his best when he can see the field, play in space and use his athleticism to cover ground. I don't like that Burns isn't as physical as his size would suggest or that he doesn't have a non-stop motor but his production suggests that his skills are translatable to the NFL and that he can play at a high level. For that reason, I think he would be a prime candidate to switch to the free safety position for the Redskins if they were to go that direction. I don't doubt that Burns can come in and play corner for the Redskins but his versatility would be an asset to the team. With development Burns could continue to improve his press and zone skills and could become a very impressive all around corner or safety for the Skins.

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